Immediate effect of slow bhastrika pranayama on blood glucose, heart rate and blood pressure

Abstract

The present study aimed at comparing the immediate effect of slow Bhastriaka Pranayama practice on blood glucose level, heart rate and blood pressure. The study was conducted on female yogic practitioners from LNIPE, Gwalior (N=10, mean and SD of age respectively 20±2 as the scores were normally distributed). The data were collected on the subjects on selected physiological variables before and after the immediate practice of Bhastrika Pranayama. The blood glucose level, heart rate and blood pressure were measured by glucometer, heart rate monitor and sphygmomanometer during mentioned time. The tests were administered before pranayama and immediately after Bhastrika Pranayama practice at early morning in empty stomach. Paired t-test was employed as statistical analysis to compare the mean at 5% level of significance. Finally, significant difference was shown in blood glucose level from 85.00± 3 to 79.90±4.50 and heart rate was significantly decreased from 67.8±6.67 to 65±6.33. No significant difference was found in systolic blood pressure (from111±5.15 to 114±4.20) during bhastrika pranayama where diastolic blood pressure was significantly decreased after bhastrika pranayama (from 77±7.83 to 68±7.93). Thus, it can be concluded that slow Bhastrika pranayama could reduce the blood glucose level, heart rate and blood pressure by activating the parasympathetic nervous system which enhance the healthy cardiovascular functioning of the body control high blood glucose by stimulating the insulin secretion from pancreas.