Immediate effect of Suryanamaskar on cardiorespiratory functions and cognitive performance: A quasi-experimental study on young adult females

Background: Suryanamaskar (SN) is popular amongst recent yoga practitioners for its health benefits and fitness promises. Most previous studies have focused on the long-term pre-post effects of SN intervention on health and fitness. However, a notable gap exists regarding the immediate response of practicing SN on cardiorespiratory and neuro-cognitive functions, especially in the female population. Objectives: This study aimed to find the immediate effect of SN practice on cardiorespiratory functions and neuro-cognitive performance in healthy adult females. Material and methods: A total of 21 healthy females (aged: 18–25 years) were selected in this Quasi pre-post experimental study, guided by the CONSORT tool. Cardiorespiratory, heart rate (HR) variability, and cognitive parameters were assessed before and immediately after 45 minutes of SN session using a metabolic gas analyzer, HR sensor, and psychometric tests, respectively. Paired t-test was performed to find the difference between the pre- and post-SN responses. Results: A significant increase in average volume of oxygen consumption (VO2) (11.4 %; p < 0.01), minute ventilation (VE) (15.9 %; p < 0.001), respiratory frequency (Rf) (6.2 %; p < 0.01), respiratory quotient (RQ) (4.6 %; p < 0.01), and METS (12.4 %; p < 0.001) were observed immediately after SN session. No significant changes in blood pressure was observed. LF power (23.7 %; p < 0.01) and LF/HF ratio (79.9 %; p < 0.05) showed a significant increase along with a decrease in pNN50 % (16.9 %; p < 0.05) and HF power (16.4 %; p < 0.01) at post-SN. A significant improvement (p < 0.01) in Stroop congruent (14.78 %) and incongruent (13.7 %) reaction times was also observed immediately after the SN session. Conclusion: These findings collectively indicate that a single session of SN effectively enhanced both cardiorespiratory and cognitive functions, which can be used to improve cardiometabolic health and to train the autonomic nervous system in females.