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A STUDY ON EFFECTS OF YOGIC EXERCISES ON SIMULATED MICROGRAVITY. P.B.Dattani, A.K.Sengupta. Department of Aerospace Physiology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Indian Air Force, Bangalore, India.

     The study was the first of its kind to investigate the effects of yogic exercises on cardiovascular changes during 2 h of 6є head down tilt (HDT) position and recovery period. Two groups of six subjects each: Group A – practicing yogic exercises for 6 mo and Group B - practicing yogic exercises for 60 mo were compared with age and sex matched controls. Changes in heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were studied during the 2 h of HDT and recovery in the horizontal position for 30 min.

     Group B showed a significant (P<0.01) fall in HR and rise in MAP in response to the tilt, similar to the controls, whereas, Group A showed minimal changes to the tilt. On return to the horizontal position, however; Group A parameters returned to baseline value in 20 min, whereas Group B showed a further fall in HR and rise in MAP. Neither Group B nor the control group showed a return to the baseline values. Symptoms of nasal congestion, heaviness in the head and backache were less prominent in both Group A and B, as compared to controls.

     To conclude, deconditioning was resisted after 6 mo of yogic exercises, showing a relative parasympathetic dominance. Whether this would be beneficial during space flight, is difficult to say. There is, however, a possibility that yogic exercises practiced for a short period of six months may be of some benefit for early recovery on return to ground conditions. These responses to HDT simulated microgravity changes may reflect the manner in which yogic exercises influence the cardiovascular system in space.