Effect
of Mukh Bhastrika (A Type of
Pranayama) on the Sensory:
Motor Performance
1034-1037
Correspondence
Shashikala G.V.
Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology,
S. Nijalingappa Medical College,
Navanagar, Bagalkot - 587102
Karnataka, India.
Mobile: +919986697172
E-Mail: dr.gvs@rediffmail.com
Background: Pranayama has a very important role in the yogic system of exercises and it has been said to be much more important than yogasanas for keeping sound health. The practice of Mukh Bhastrika, a type of pranayama, is known to improve human performance. The studies which have been conducted till date were on the effect of the short term practice of Mukh Bhastrika, other types of pranayamas and yoga in general. The Reaction Time (RT) is a means of determining the sensory motor association and the performance.
Aim: The aim of the present study was to know whether practising Mukh Bhastrika alone had any beneficial effect on the CNS arousal, the sensory-motor association and its performance.
Materials and Methods: This interventional study was done in 50 young, male volunteers in whom the auditory and the visual reaction times were recorded before and after 12 weeks of Mukh Bhastrika training.
Results: There was a decrease in both the auditory and the visual reaction times. This indicated an improvement in the sensorymotor performance and the enhanced processing ability of the central nervous system.
Conclusion: Hence, the regular practice of Mukh Bhastrika should be encouraged for better performance in situations which require faster reactivity such as sports, race driving, specialized surgery, machine operation, trainable mentally retarded children, etc.