Managing the detrimental factors of aging through Yoga

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 16 (Suppl), June 2017, pp. S 96-S 100 Managing the detrimental factors of aging through Yoga Kamakhya Kumar Department of Yogic Science, Uttarakhand Sanskrit University, Haridwar 249402, UK E-mail: [email protected] Received 1 February 2017, revised 21 April 2017 Yoga helps in slowing down the aging process, by maintain the body weight, providing elasticity to the spine, firming up the skin, removing tension from the mind, strengthening the abdominal muscles, improving the quality of loose arm muscles, correcting poor posture and so on. Thus, of the numerous benefits of Yoga, anti-ageing is an important one. With this background the present study aims to find the effect of Yogic intervention on physiological and psychological parameters in aged people. For that 100 person age range 50-65 years were selected through purposive sampling from Haridwar-Dehradun districts of Uttarakhand. They were again randomly divided into two parts in experimental and control group. Experimental group were introduced the Yogic intervention for a period of 60 days and the control group were doing their own scheduled work. Pre-post data were taken for both the experimental and control group and further analyzed statistically. Significant changes were seen in the body weight; cholesterol and stress level in the experimental group, whereas no as such change has been seen into the control group. Study suggests that the some of the detrimental factors of aging in the form of body weight, blood cholesterol and stress level can be managed through a regular Yogic practice. Keywords: Yoga, Aging, Bodyweight, Cholesterol, Stress level. IPC Int. Cl.8: C07J9/00, G01L 1/00, G05D 15/00 Yoga is an experiential science. The most important benefit of yoga is, it balances our physical and mental conditions. The aging process, which is largely an artificial condition, caused mainly by autointoxication or self-poisoning, can be slowed down by practicing yoga1. By keeping the body clean, flexible and well lubricated, we can significantly reduce the catabolic process of cell deterioration. The most commonly performed practices of Yoga are physical postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), and meditation (dhyana). Asanas are physical postures which stretch and strengthen different parts of the body as well as the muscles resulting reduction of stretch marks, massaging and bringing fresh blood to the internal organs while rejuvenating the nervous system and lubricating the joints, muscles, and ligaments. Each asana is purported to have different effects. Some are stimulatory to the nervous and circulatory systems, some develop coordination and concentration, while others have a calming effect on the body. Some postures such as the corpse pose, are used for elongated periods of relaxation. Pranayama consists of a variety of techniques for the regulation of breathing, usually by encouraging it to become slower, more regular, and more refined2. Older adults are less likely to work and more likely to suffer from health problems than are their middleaged counterparts. Thus, the set of life context variables that may predict variance in affect in older adults should be different than those of middle-aged individuals, and attempts to explicate age effects in older individuals would need to first specify the impact of these age-salient variables. For example, although occupational stress would, therefore, not be an appropriate contextual variable for older individuals, physical health status or functional abilities (e.g., strength, mobility, limitations in activities of daily living) might be appropriate. Yoga has the potential to be most beneficial to lowincome minority elders who report more numerous and severe physical problems than do non-minority elders and persons under age sixty-five3. In addition, preventive healthcare could offset to some extent the minority elder’s reduced access to health services due to transportation problems, inadequate information, healthcare institutions located outside of the minority community, and discomfort with large, impersonal institutions and non-minority healthcare professionals who are perceived as prejudiced or overly solicitous4,5 of lower blood pressure levels. While high blood KAMAKHYA KUMAR: MANAGING THE DETRIMENTAL FACTORS OF AGING THROUGH YOGA pressure or hypertension (usually defined as a systolic/diastolic blood pressure reading of 160/95 mm Hg of pressure or above) approach epidemic proportions among American adults aged 55 yrs and over, among blacks in America there is three to four times the incidence of high blood pressure than among whites, and black patients with hypertension have approximately twice the mortality risk of white patients6. Not only is hypertension associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates, but even small elevations in blood pressure are associated with increased susceptibility to heart attacks and strokes6,7. Since yoga employs gentle techniques without any physical strain, it may be particularly well-suited to the physical vulnerabilities of older persons8. Although regular physical activity has been demonstrated to be critical for the promotion of health and function as people age, persons older than 50 yrs of age represent the most sedentary segment of the adult population. In addition to the 150 min/week of moderate intensity aerobic exercise, the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans highlight that adults should perform muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days of the week targeting all major muscle groups9. With the growing popularity of practices like meditation and yoga, policy makers and scientists have considered the effectiveness of applying these techniques to aged person. Thus far, the studies that have focused on Yoga and meditation with this population have shown encouraging results. Yogabased randomized controlled trials have shown to reduce the fear of falling10 and improve balance and flexibility outcomes as assessed by the Senior Fitness Tests11. Being overweight has several undesirable effects. For example, obese persons have been shown to have poor musculoskeletal fitness (based on pushups, sit-ups, grip strength, and trunk flexibility), and this is of importance, as over a 20-yrs period musculoskeletal fitness is a significant predictor of weight gain12. Also, in people who are overweight, mobility is compromised, which is closely related to decreases in proprioception13 and balance stability14. Postural instability in extremely obese persons has been shown to improve after a 3-week body weight reduction program15. The ultimate aim of yoga is to prepare the body to achieve tranquility of the mind. Yoga has been recommended and studied in its relationship to stress, although the studies are scientifically less replicable. S 97 It has been shown to create a sense of well being, feeling of relaxation, improved concentration, self confidence, improved efficiency, good interpersonal relationships, increased attentiveness, lowered irritability, and an optimistic outlook in life16. Nonetheless, several researchers claim highly beneficial results from the practice of Yoga in alleviating stress and its effects. One such study shows a reduction in Occupational stress level of Working Women as an effect of Yogic Intervention17. Because it fosters self-awareness, Yoga is a promising approach for dealing with the stress response. Even the western world has now accepted Yoga as a complementary therapy to assist cancer survivors in managing symptoms such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, pain, and fatigue18. One such study reported that there is a significant effect of Hatha Yogic practices on body weight of the subjects19, study conducted on patients with angina and coronary risk factors have showed a positive response in lipid profile after 4-14 weeks of yogic practices. A study held in Ontario, Canada also corroborate with our study and state that training increases HDL cholesterol and several studies have confirm this belief20. Another study reported in that practice of Yoga cleansing (Shatkarma) lower down the serum glucose and serum cholesterol level of the human subjects21. In another study it has been seen that there is a significant effect of Yogic Intervention on body weight of the subjects22. On several parameters of general health factors practice of Yoga shows a positive impact towards physical health. Methodology With the above background the present study aims to find the effect of Yogic intervention on physiological and psychological parameters in aged people. For that 100 person age range 50-65 yrs were selected through purposive sampling from HaridwarDehradun districts of Uttarakhand. They were again randomly divided into two parts in experimental and control group. Experimental group were introduced the Yogic intervention for a period of 60 days and the control group were doing their own scheduled work. Yogic Intervention On the basis of previous studies an intervention program was prepared to be introduced to the experimental group. The intervention includes a capsule of Asana, Pranayama and meditation, which is as follows (Table 1): INDIAN J TRADIT KNOWLE, VOL 16, (SUPPL), JUNE 2017 S 98 To observe the effect of Yoga on experimental group three parameters were decided: Body weight, blood cholesterol and the stress level. To measure the body weight the weighing machine was used whereas for the measurement of the cholesterol, Colorimetric (Watson) method was used. For measuring the stress, Psychological scale was used. Pre - post data were taken for both the experimental and control group, which was further statistically analyzed through SPSS (ver.: 23) software. Analyzed results The analyzed data shows a significant change in body weight of experimental group at 0.01 level of significance (Table 2). The analyzed data shows a significant change in cholesterol level of experimental group at 0.01 level of significance (Table 3). The analyzed data shows a significant change in stress level of experimental group at 0.01 level of significance (Table 4). The analyzed data shows a non significant change in body weight of control group at 0.01 level of significance (Table 5). The analyzed data shows a non significant change in cholesterol level of control group at 0.01 level of significance (Table 6). The analyzed data shows a non significant change in stress level of control group at 0.01 level of significance (Table 7). Table 1—Yogic Intervention Practices Joints loosening Tadasana Tiryak Tadasana Kati Chakrasana Sashankasana Bhujangasana Shavasana Kapalbhati Bhramari Pranayama Savita Dhyan Analysis Pattern Experimental group Body weight Blood cholesterol Stress level Rounds Awareness Timing 5 rounds Joints and muscles each joints 5 5 5 1 1 1 100 10 Table 2 Table 3 Table 4 15 min Arms and legs wastes and abdomen 10 min spine and shoulders abdomen and spine 3 min abdomen and chest 2 min whole body 5 min abdomen and brain 5 min Brain 5 min Eyebrow center 10 min Total 60 Min Control group Body weight Table 5 Blood cholesterol Table 6 Stress level Table 7 Discussion Given the exploratory nature of the study and the difference in Yogic intervention between the experimental and the control groups at the two centres, the differential impact of the yoga program on body weight, blood cholesterol and stress level should be considered a conclusive finding. However, the consistent differences between the participants at the two centres do suggest that Psychological attitude is a major component of a yoga program as it is typically practiced in a community setting. Feelings of physical improvement may generate, as well as be the product of, actual physical improvements23,24. In the present study body weight, blood cholesterol and stress level has significantly decreased at 0.01 level of significance after the yogic practices. While these three variable are being still unchanged in control group. That’s why it can be concluded as some specific yogic practices can make a significant Table 2—showing the body weight of experimental group Paired Samples Test Paired Differences Mean Pair 1 pre - post 1.00 Std. Std. Error Mean 95% Confidence Interval of the Difference Deviation Lower Upper 1.48 .210 .577 1.422 t df Sig. (2-tailed) 4.76 49 .001 t df Sig. (2-tailed) 2.836 49 .007 Table 3—showing the blood cholesterol level of experimental group Paired Samples Test Paired Differences Mean Pair 1 pre - post 1.08000 Std. Std. Error Mean 95% Confidence Interval of the Deviation Difference Lower Upper 2.69308 .38086 .31464 1.84536 KAMAKHYA KUMAR: MANAGING THE DETRIMENTAL FACTORS OF AGING THROUGH YOGA S 99 Table 4—showing the stress level of experimental group Paired Samples Test Paired Differences Pair 1 pre - post Mean Std. Deviation Std. Error Mean 4.92000 3.07618 .43504 95% Confidence Interval Lower Upper 4.04576 5.79424 t df Sig. (2-tailed) 11.309 49 .001 Table 5—showing the body weight level of control group Paired Samples Test Paired Differences Pair 1 pre - post Mean Std. Deviation Std. Error Mean .04000 .28856 .04081 95% Confidence Lower Upper -.04201 .12201 t df Sig. (2-tailed) .980 49 .332 t df Sig. (2-tailed) .054 49 .957 Table 6—showing the blood cholesterol level of control group Paired Samples Test Paired Differences Pair 1 pre - post Mean Std. Deviation Std. Error Mean .00200 .26224 .03709 95% Confidence Lower Upper -.07253 .07653 Table 7—showing the Stress level of control group Paired Samples Test Paired Differences Pair 1 pre - post Mean Std. Deviation Std. Error Mean .06000 .51150 .07234 difference in some of the factors for aging process. A controlled trial held in India supports that yogic practices contribute to reduced excessive body fat in obese patients25. It is well known that reduction of over fat is beneficial for the health. The level of cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL was significantly reduced in one study after yogic practices26. Physical exercises including yogic practices along with dietary modification have been observed to control lipid content of blood and to treat and prevent CAD27. Conclusion It has been observed through this study that selected yogic practices bring a significant reduction in body weight, blood cholesterol and stress level. It is a sign of better equilibrium in the autonomic function and metabolic rate at one hand and neuro-humaral functions at the other hand, so that the state of both physical and mental well being is achieved and when the metabolic rate has been balanced the aging process will automatically gone slower down. At the 95% Confidence Interval Lower Upper -.08537 .20537 t df Sig. (2-tailed) .829 49 .411 end on the basis of this result it can be concluded that some of the detrimental factors of aging can be managed through Yoga. References 1 2 3 4 5 6 Alleger I, The new Yoga for healthy Aging by Suza Francina, Townsend Letter For Doctors And Patients, No: 292, 2007, 106. Iyengar BK, Yoga: The path to holistic health, (London: Dorling Kindersley Publishing Inc), 2001, 186-248. 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