title: Immediate Effects of Bhramari Pranayama on Resting Cardiovascular Parameters in Healthy Adolescents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In yoga, Pranayama has a very important role in maintaining sound health. There is some strong scientific basis on constant physiological changes produced when pranayama is practiced for long duration. Still, there exists a dearth of literature on the effect of Bhramari pranayama (Bhr.p) on physiological systems.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the immediate effect of Bhramari pranayama (Bhr.P) practice on the resting cardiovascular parameters in healthy adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty apparently healthy adolescents of both sex participated in the study. They were randomly divided into Bhr.P (n-30) and control (n-30) group. Informed consent was obtained after explaining the detailed procedure of the study. Bhr.P group practiced Bhramari pranayama for 45 min (5 cycles) and control group was allowed to do normal breathing (12-16 breath /min). Heart rate (HR) was assessed by radial artery palpation method and blood pressure was recorded in supine position after 5 minutes of rest by sphygmomanometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The HR reduced significantly (p-0.001) in Bhr.P group. BP indices, Pulse Pressure (PP), Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), Rate Pressure Product (RPP) and Double Product (DoP) significantly decreased after Bhr.p practice compared with control. Pre and Post inter group analysis also showed that significant reduction in HR and BP indices in Bhr.P group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Present study showed that Bhr.P practice produces relaxed state and in this state parasympathetic activity overrides the sympathetic activity. It suggests that Bhramari pranayama improves the resting cardiovascular parameters in healthy adolescents.
authors.affiliation: Demonstrator, Department of Physiology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute , Chennai, India .
authors.forename: Maheshkumar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuppusamy
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Physiology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute , Chennai, India .
authors.forename: Dilara
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kamaldeen
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute , Chennai, India .
authors.forename: Ravishankar
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pitani
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Biochemistry, Sri Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Bharath University , Chennai, India .
authors.forename: Julius
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Amaldas
keywords: Blood pressure; Breathing; Heart rate; Vagal tone