Acute Effect of Selective Yogic Exercises on Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is presently regarded as a multi-system disorder. A decrease oxygen transport to brain in these patients alters spontaneous brain activity. Yoga plays a vital role in complementary management of the disease. Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) reflect neuronal activity along the auditory pathway up to the midbrain. Thus, we aimed to assess the effects of short-term yogic exercises in BAEP in stable COPD patients. Methods: This one group pretest – posttest observational study enrolled 50 stable patients with COPD. Steps of yogic exercises which included bhujangasana (snake pose), nadisodhana pranayama (alternate nostril breathing), swana pranayama (panting dog breathing) and ajapa-japa meditation (constant awareness of breathing) were taught to subjects by yoga instructor and given rest for 15 minutes. Then, BAEP latencies were recorded. After recording subjects performed the 20-25 minutes of yogic exercises as per the instructions, immediately after the completion, BAEP latencies were recorded. Thereafter, subjects were allowed to have rest for 10-15 minutes recording was done again. Results: Latency of BAEP wave I (1.78 ± 0.50 vs 1.99 ± 0.49 ms, p=0.006) and wave II (2.91 ± 0.32 vs 2.99 ± 0.30 ms, p=0.006) significantly decreased immediately after yoga, compared to baseline in right ear. Similarly, latency of wave II (2.77 ± 0.42 vs 2.92 ± 0.46 ms, p=0.005) and wave V (5.72 ± 0.32 vs 5.91 ± 0.37 ms, p=0.017) significantly decreased immediately after yoga, compared to baseline in left ear. However, latency of wave IV (5.51 ± 0.32 vs 5.34 ± 0.40 ms, p=0.042) increased significantly after the rest of 30 minutes, compared to immediately after yoga in right ear. Conclusions: Enhancement of neuronal transmission along the auditory pathway up to the midbrain was seen immediately after yogic exercises, which returned back to the baseline after 30 mins of rest

Assessment of Cardio Respiratory Fitness of Trained and Non-Trained Young Adult Males

Background: Cardio respiratory fitness in terms of maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) reflects the physical fitness of a person. VO2max determines the capacity of an individual to perform sustained exercise. The present study is to assess and compare the cardiorespiratory fitness in terms of VO2 max between trained and untrained subjects. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 30 young adult males undergoing physical training for more than 3 months to join British army and age-sex matched 30 non-trained controls. VO2max was estimated indirectly by following the protocol of Queen’s College Step Test (QCT) method. Results: VO₂ max was found significantly higher in the trained males as compared to non-trained group (68.91± 4.42 vs. 50.31±4.80; p=0.02). On comparison of VO₂ max of our subjects with the standard VO₂ max classification, our trained and non-trained groups fitted into the category of high and average on cardiorespiratory fitness scale respectively. Conclusion: Physical training improves cardio respiratory fitness by increasing VO₂ max