Effects of varied durations of Surya namaskar practice on selected physiological variables

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of practicing Surya Namaskar for varied durations on selected physiological variables, including heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and VO₂ max. Sixty participants were randomly assigned to three groups based on practice durations: 10 minutes (Group A), 20 minutes (Group B), and 30 minutes (Group C) daily for 12 weeks. Physiological parameters were recorded before and after the intervention to assess the impact of Surya Namaskar on cardiovascular and respiratory fitness. Statistical analysis using paired t-tests revealed significant improvements in HR, RR, and VO₂ max for Group B and Group C (p< 0.05), whereas Group A showed non-significant changes. These findings suggest that practicing Surya Namaskar for longer durations (20–30 minutes) is particularly effective in enhancing cardiovascular and respiratory fitness. This study underscores the potential of Surya Namaskar as an accessible, time-efficient, and holistic intervention for improving overall physiological health.