Slow Frequency Anuloma Viloma Pranayama Modulates Cardiac and Neural Oscillations in Yoga Practitioners.

Anuloma viloma pranayama (AVP) also known as Alternate nostril breathing (ANB) is the most commonly used form of pranayama, the ancient breath control practice. It is known to modulate cardiovascular control and brain activity. This study analysed the simultaneous recording of Heart rate variability (HRV) and brain activity during and after AVP at a very slow frequency. We carried out an observational cohort study from October 2021 to December 2021 with purposive sample of 30 (Thirty) healthy volunteers involved in regular kriya yoga practice for the last 15 years were inducted into this study AVP involves slow and deep inhalation through one nostril at a time. The ECG for HRV analysis and spectrum of EEG waves were recorded throughout the pre-AVP, during-AVP and post-AVP (each of five-minute duration). The parameters were compared and analysed by repeated measures of analysis of variance with post-hoc analysis using Bonferroni and Holm's multiple comparisons. In time Domain parameters, SDNN and RMSSD were significantly higher during AVP as compared to the pre-AVP and post AVP. In frequency domain parameters total power, LF power, HF power, showed a significant increase during AVP, LF/HF ratio increased during AVP and remained higher post-AVP also. Similarly, Alpha, Beta and Gamma wave power increased significantly during AVP as compared to pre-AVP and post-AVP. The lungs-heart-brain act as coupled oscillators, the analysed data show an increased arousal, attentive and focused state with a negligible change in the heart rate. An overall increased variability in HRV was recorded.

Acute Effects on Heart Rate Variability during Slow Deep Breathing.

Slow deep breathing is known to modulate cardiovascular control and is a used in many ancient breath control practices like pranayama. The changes in Heart Rate Variability (HRV) during a less known form of Slow Deep Breathing (SDB) with equal counts of inhalation, holding and exhalation are not well documented. This study analyses the changes during such a slow deep breathing pattern with less than 4 breaths per minute on HRV. The cross sectional descriptive type of observational study was done at AIIMS, Bhopal on 30 regular Kriya yogi volunteers who are practicing for last 10-20 years. SDB involves slow and deep inhalation through the nose, usually to a count of 15, holding for an equal count of 15, followed by slow and complete exhalation for a similar count of 15. The process was repeated for five minutes. The recording ECG for HRV analysis was taken by heart rate variability (Dinamika HRV - Advanced Heart Rate Variability Test System, Moscow, Russia). The resting and during readings of heart rate variability parameters were compared and analysed using a paired t-test. Time domain parameters: Standard Deviation Normal to Normal (SDNN) and Root Mean Square of Successive Differences (RMSSD) were increased at a high level of statistical significance during the manoeuvre. Frequency Domain parameters: Low Frequency (LF), High Frequency (HF), LF/HF ratio increased significantly. Parasympathetic activity is represented by LF when respiration rate is lower than 7 breaths per minute or during taking a deep breath. Thus, when the subject is in the state of relaxation with a slow and even breathing, the LF values can be very high indicating an increase in parasympathetic activity rather than an increase in sympathetic regulation. Practice of pranayama naturally slows the breathing, which in turn makes the heart calmer and calmer as demonstrated by a statistically significant decrease in heart rate after five minutes of SDB. Transient and rapid excitation of cardiovascular system during SDB suggests that the multiple regulatory mechanism at play like mechanical coupling, baroreflex and central mechanisms. Slow yogic breathing (pranayama) may serve as a physiologic method to draw upon cardio-vagal reserve and regular practice of these manoeuvres may beneficially affect cardiovascular autonomic regulation in health and in various cardiovascular diseases.

Sex Determination in Western Indian Population by Limb Measurements.

For individual identification, the principal biological element is sex determination from disfigured and amputated limbs or body fragments in forensic investigation. Diverse dimensions and proportions affect the anthropometric assessment of sex in different populations. A cross-sectional study was conducted during July 2014 to June 2016 on five hundred and four healthy individuals of age-group 22-40 years of Western India to see the degree of sexual dimorphism in limb measurements. The forearm length, whole upper limb length, tibial length and whole lower limb length of both sides were measured by the universal anthropometric criteria. Demarking points, sexual dimorphism indices and discriminant functions were developed for each measurement. The sexual dimorphism was observed in all variables and males have a higher value than females (p<0.001). The tibial length showed the highest accuracy in sex determination and the highest sexual dimorphism, followed by whole lower limb length. The range of Cross-validated sex classification precision was between 58-90% for the individual variables, 91.7% for the stepwise method and 95.4% for all measurements taken together. The established prototypes delivered effective and consistent sex estimates with high precision rates and low prediction errors.

Carrying Angle in Population of Western India: Normative Values.

Carrying angle is one of the secondary sexual characteristics which is important for keeping the hand away from body to improve functionality. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Western Indian population (rural and urban population in and around Jodhpur district) during July 2014-June 2016 with the purpose of evaluating the carrying angle in apparently healthy adult and determines the range of normality according to age, sex, height, waist circumference and special reference to handedness. The carrying angle (elbow) was measured in 504 adults aged between 20-40 years (by simple random sampling) by a digital Goniometer. The subjects were in anatomical position (stand up straight, roll his/her shoulders back and the elbow was fully extended and the forearm fully supinated) while the carrying angle were taken. Carrying angle of the right side in male's 11.54°±1.29° and in female's 13.41°±1.26°, whereas these value in left side 10.21°±1.34° and 12.19°±1.44° respectively. All measurements in females are significantly higher in comparison to males (p<0.001). The significant difference was observed in carrying angle according to handedness; dominant hand had higher value of carrying angle in comparison to non-dominant hand in both gender (p<0.001). The height of individuals is positively correlated with the angle whereas there was no correlation was found in between age, waist circumference. The present study showed that the females have greater carrying angle than males.

Stature Estimation from Measurements of Inferior Extremity in Different Stature Groups of Western Indian Population.

Growth and stature of individuals depend upon various factors like environment, race, and inheritance etc. India has different ethnic groups, which are unique in their genetic and socio economic status. Therefore, present study is formulated to estimate the stature by four anthropometric measurements of the inferior extremity in the Western Indian population (rural and urban population in and around Jodhpur district) during July 2014-June 2016 and to compare with other regions of India with respect to body proportion used for stature estimation equations. Measurements of lower limb length and tibial length on both side, and in both genders of 504 individuals were done. Stature estimation equations were developed by single and multiple predictor models and compared with previous researches. Four subgroups were also made according to the stature to see the hypothesis that body proportions will vary in short, medium and tall individuals. A positive correlation (Pearson's) was observed between stature and all the four measurements of inferior extremity. The strongest correlations observed were between lower limb length and stature for all groups (combined r=0.991; males r=0.971; females r=0.967). The highest estimation accuracy (R²=0.992, SEE=0.718) was observed in male during height estimation done by measurements of left side as suggested by low SEE value. Strong correlation in between stature and other body proportions was observed in taller group of individuals either male or female. Significant difference in all the regions was observed, when compared with previous research and suggests that western Indians are peculiar in their body proportions. It was also detected that body proportion may vary according to the stature.

Estimation of Stature from Measurements of Superior Extremity in Western India.

As India has diverse environmental conditions in her regions, the different environmental condition must affect the growth and development of an individual may also affect the height achieved at adulthood. Total 504 volunteers of Western India were recruited in the study. Stature estimation equations were developed by single and multiple predictor models. Stature calculated in the present study was compared with earlier researchers. Evaluated with Pearson's correlation analysis all the eight measurements (Length of superior extremity, forearm and hand and breadth of hand on both sides) were positively correlated with stature. The strongest correlations were observed between superior extremity length and stature for all groups (combined r=0.886; males r=0.871; females r=0.950). Left superior extremity length had the lowest Standard error of estimation (SEE) for all groups (combined ±3.63cm; males ±2.736cm; females ±1.045cm) and coefficient of determination (R²) for the combined, males and female groups (78.6%, 76.1%, and 90.4% respectively) in single predictor linear regression model equation. In multiple regression model the highest accuracy (R²=0.908, SEE=1.381) was observed in the female when hand length and superior extremity length of the left side were used. Coefficients of determination (R²) obtained in this study were more than 70% in all the estimates except where hand breadth was involved. Predicted stature could be more accurate among females as compared to male. By single prediction model using superior extremity length was able to give the most accurate height, whereas, the accuracy improved as the number of predictors increased.