Immediate effects of Suryanamaskar on reaction time and heart rate in female volunteers.

Suryanamaskar (SN), a yogic technique is composed of dynamic muscular movements synchronised with deep rhythmic breathing. As it may have influence on CNS, this study planned to investigate immediate effects of SN on reaction time (RT) and heart rate (HR). 21 female volunteers attending yoga classes were recruited for study group and 19 female volunteers not participating in yoga were recruited as external-controls. HR, auditory reaction time (ART) and visual reaction time (VRT) were recorded before and after three rounds of SN in study group as well as 5 minutes of quiet sitting in both groups. Performance of SN produced immediate decrease in both VRT and ART (P < 0.001). This was significant when compared to self-control period (P < 0.001) and compared to external-control group, it decreased significantly in ART (p = 0.02). This was pronounced when delta% was compared between groups (P < 0.001). HR increased significantly following SN compared with both self-control (p = 0.025) and external-control group (p = 0.032). Faster reactivity may be due to intermediate level of arousal by conscious synchronisation of dynamic movements with breathing. Rise in HR is attributed to sympathetic arousal and muscular exertion. We suggest that SN may be used as an effective training means to improve neuro-muscular abilities.