Yoga and chemoreflex response to hypoxia and hypercapnia.
We tested whether chemoreflex sensitivity could be affected by the practice of yoga, and whether this is specifically because of a slow breathing rate obtained during yoga or as a general consequence of yoga. We found that slow breathing rate per se substantially reduced chemoreflex sensitivity, but long-term yoga practice was responsible for a generalised reduction in chemoreflex.
Spicuzza
L
L
Gabutti
A
A
Porta
C
C
Montano
N
N
Bernardi
L
L
D000328:Adult; D002628:Chemoreceptor Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006935:Hypercapnia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D012119:Respiration; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D015013:Yoga