. CHAPTER II ' .

REVIEW OF RELATED LITWTURE

2.1 Physical Fitness and Yoglc Exercises

Extensive studies regarding exercise science, different exercise programmes and their developmental, hygienic, therapeutic an-^ other values, uses of big muscle activity and sports culture are available in research journals. But comparatively few studies are reported regarding Yogic exercises.

Vijayendra Ppatap has taken a review of the scientific literature on which includes comparative studies not supported by experimental viorks and studies based on experimental works. Scientific interest support­ ed by experimental studies in this field seems to have been started in 1924 with the foundation of Kaivalyadhama by . His works occupy a very import­ ant and unique position among all the scientific works in Yoga done so far in or else\*Aiere, These are

Vijayendra Pratap, "Scientific Studies on Yoga - A Review,” Yoga Mimamsa. 13:4:1-18, (1971). 38

2 reported in the journal Yoga Mimamsa. It was he who first brought home the impoT'tance and utility of the

Yogic exercises for a common man in maintaining his health and physical fitness with his rational expla­ nation about these exercises based on scientific facts.

Later other wrkers were attracted by this tox’:ards different Yogic practices and according to their vary­ ing interest they studied the effect of such practices on the different systems of the body. For example,

Therese Brosse,^ Bagchi and Wenger et al.,^ Anand et 5 al., using electrophysiological techniques studied

2 Swami Kuvalayananda (ed.)» Yoga Mimamsa, Vol. 1; 1-310, (1924-25) 5 2:1-320, (1926) ; 3:1-320, (1928); 4:1-338, (1930-33); 5:1-18, (1934); 8:1-323, (1956); 7:1-2084-85, (1957-58). 3 There se Brosse, ’’Contribution to the Experimental study of Altruism,” In: P.A.Sorokin (Ed.) Forms and Techniques of^Altrulstic and Spiritual Growth, (Boston: The "beacon Press, 1964), pp. 189-282.

"^.K.Bagchi and M.A.Wenger, '‘Electrophysiological correlates of; some Yogic exercises,*' In: SBG Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy, (London: Pergamon Press, 1959), pp.132-149.

^.K,Anand, G.S.Ghhina and B.Singh, "Some aspects of electroencephalographic studies in , Blectro- enceph. Clin. Weurophysiol., 13:452-56, (196l5~i 39 electrical activity of the brain during yogic meditation. V/enger 'and Bagchi"^ studied autonomic nervous system activity among yogic practitioners.

Attempts to study individual yogic practices have been done by some workers. Kuvalayananda and 7 8 Karambelkar, ’ studied pressure changes in IJddiyana and and found marked negative pressures created in the oesophagus and th? stom.ach, Bhole and 9 Karambelkar shoved similar pressure changes occuring in different cavities including stomach, bladder and colon during the practice of Uddiyana and Nauli. The gastric and thoracic -pressure changes "were recorded in

A.Wenger and B.K.Bagchi, "Studies of autonomic functions in practitioners of Yoga in India, Behav. Sci.. 5:312-323, (1951).

'^Sv;ami Kuvalayananda and P.V.Karambelkar, “Studies in internal and external pressure changes in Uddiyana,'* Yoga-Mimamsa,. 5:203-208, (1953),

®------"StMies in internal and external pressure changes in Madhya (central), Dakshina (right), and Wama (left) Naulis," Yoga-Mimamsa, 6:273-295, (1957).

^^.V.Bhole and P.V.Karambslkar, "Press’ire changes in internal cavities during Uddiyana and Nauli," Yoga- Mimamsa. 13:14:19-25, (19i?l) . 40

Agnisara by Kuvalayananda and Ksrambelkar.Vary high negative pressures (start ~ 115 mni. Hg,, and nisintenance

-55 mm, Hg.) -'/jere obtained in th2 stomach during the outward push of the abdomen. During inward push it vjas near about to normal resting. Intra~thoracic pressure in outward push was marked by positive and during inward push it was near atmospheric. The results also correlat­ ed with the skiagrams taken. Kuvalayananda and

Kararabalkar^^ reported that the practice of Bhastrika

Pranayama for 45 minutes did not show any increase in

the urinary acidity. In another study by Kuvalayananda 12 13 and Karambelkar ’ a comparison of alveolar CO2 at the

end of t^/TO and five-minutes of Kapalabhati type of

breathing on the one hand, and of normal breathing on the

Swami Kuvalayantinda and P,Y.Karambelkar, "Kymographic and X-ray studies 0^ pressure changes in Agnisara'*, Yoga-Mimamsa, 7: 157-167, (1957),

^ ^ ^ ,'‘Experiment s on - Bhastrika Pranayama,” '*Yoga-Mimamsa, 6:9-20, (1956).

^ ,’’Studies in alveolar air in Kapalabhati, "Yoga-Mimamsa, 7:18- 25, (1 9 5 7 ).

13 ,"Studies in alveolar air in Kapalobhati - Part II, " Yoga-Mimamsa, 7:89-94, (1957).

Tf) 3373 41 other showed the concentration to ba not different,

investigated metabolic, cardiovascular and respiratory responses to head-stand posture (3hir shasana),

It was shov/n that the mean VC was largest (4.00 t 0.40 litres)^' \*iil9 erect, smallest (3.63 t o. 13 litres) in the head-down position, and intermediate (3.78t 0,29 litres) in the recumbent posture. The results of IC and

ERV in general followed the principles governing the pressure - volume relations of the respiratory system.

He also studied Yoga-type of breathing for its oxygen cost.^’^ Datay et al.^® found - A Yoga

.Hao. ’’Metabolic cost of head-stand posture,” J,APPl*P‘^ysiol., 17: 117-118, (1932),

15 ■ — ^''Cardiovascular responses to head-stand posture," y.Appl.Physiol., 18:987-990, (1963),

16 ‘ ------? "Respiratory responses to hea:’-stand posture," J.Appl.Physiol., 24:697-399, (1938),

17 ______/"Oxygen consumption during Yoga-type breathing at altitudes of 520 m. and 3,800 m.," Ind. J.Med.Re s., 56:701-705, (1968),

.K.Datey et al., "Shavasana - a Yogic exercise in the management of hypertension," Angiology, 20:325* 333, (1969), ------42 relaxation method to be of great utility in the manage- 19 ment of hypertension. Tulpule et al. studied >!’ogic exercises in the management of Ischaemic Heart Disease and found that they help the patients of late and recent myocardial infarcts in early ambulation, quicker rehabilitation am? possibly reduce the chances of other 20 complications. Gharote in a pilot study suggested the favourable effect of the Yogic exercise in air swallow­ ing on the reduction o'^:' gastric acidity. In another 21 study Gharote reported significantly lower energy 22 expendituj-e during deep meditation. Wallace also obtained similar results with Transcendental Meditation,

T.H.Tulpule, Shantilal J.Shah, H.M.Shah and H.K. Havelivala, "Yogic exercises in the management of Ischaemic Heart Disease," Indian Heart Journal. 23:4t 259-264, (1973).

Gharote, “Effect of air swallowing on the gastric acidity, - A pilot study," Yoga-Mimamsa. 14j 1 & 2:7-10, (1971).

21 ______;"Enargy expanditure during deep meditative state," Yoga-Mimamsa. 14: 1 & 2:57-32, (1971).

22 R.K.Wallace, "Ph^/siological effects of Transcend­ ental Meditation," Science. 137: 1751-1754, (1970). 43

23 Vijayendra Pratap compared the response level using heart rate, respiration, palmer conductance, and the movement in erect sitting posture (Yogic condition) and reclining posture (non-Yogic condition). He reported the response level to be lower and the movement lesser in the Yogic condition than in the non-Yogic condition, 24 Bhole and Karambelkar have presented to interesting record of heart control through employing some Yogic practices. Intragastric pressure changes were studied in 25 by Bhole and Karambelkar. It was reported that in asanas like , , Hatsyasana, ,

Ardha-Shalabhasana, Vakrasana and Yoga , positive

(higher than atmospheric) pressures of a small magnitude of 6 to 20 mm. Hg, were developed in the stomach. In

Bhujangasana, Ardha-, , the positive pressures developed upto 50 mm, Hg,, \rtiile those in , Shalabhasana, Naukasana and

^ijayendra Pratap, "Difference in magnitude of response in Yogic and non-Yogic conditions - a synopsis of an experimental study, *' Ypga-Mlmaasa. 12*2*9-18, (1969).

2%^VrBhole, and P.V,Karambelkar, "Heart control and Yoga practices," Yoga»Miaamsa. 13*4*53-65, (1971)*

25------ulntragastric pressure changes in Asanas," Yoga-Mimansa. 13*4*67-73, (1971), 44 were as high as 60 to 100 mm. Hg. These data are useful in preparing training schodule of asanas where pressure manipulations are to be taken as the guiding principle.

An electro-m3'‘ographic study of selected asanas was 26 undertaken by Karambelkar et al. and it was shorn how proper instructions along the traditional lines help one to relax various muscles even during the performance of 27 PR asanas Investigated. Karambelkar et al. have shown that yogic practices tend to reduce the uropepsin exeretion which is indicative of reduced corticoid production and consequently of a state of reduced stress and tensions.

The curative aspect of Yoga exercises has been 29 very ^^;ell brought forward by Kuvalayananda and Vinekar,

Karambelkar et al., "Muscle activity in some asanas," Yoea-Mlmamsa. 12:1; 1-13, (1969).

27 ------j "Uropepsin excretion as influenced by some Yogic practices," Yoga-Hlmamsa. llj 1: 1-6, (19683. 28 ------^"Uropepsin excretion as influenced by some yogic practices (Part II)," Yoga- Mimamsa, 11:3:9-14, (1969).

^%wami Kuvalayananda and S.L.Vinekar, Yogic Therapy - Its Basic Principles and Methods. (New Delhi: Central Health Education Bureau, Directorate General of Health Services, "Unistry of Health, Government of ■^ndia, 1963), pp.96. 45

Utility of the Yogic exercises in the treatment of various disorders like , obesity and diabetes 30,31,32,33,34,35,36 has been discussed by others. ’’’’’’

In spite of these attempts to study different

Yogic exercises individually and their utility in the treatment of certain disorders,' limited research has been carried out to study the effects of the selected routine of Yogic exercises on the improvement of physical fitness.

Considerable amount of w r k in this regard is being done in the Scientific Research Department of the Kaivalyadhama

3®M.V .Bhole and P.V.Karsunbelkar, '’Effect of Yogic treatment on picture in asthma Patients, ”Yoga Mimamsa. 14* 182: 1-6, (1971) • OT ------»"Yoga practices in relation to therapeutics", Souvenir of 24th Annual Conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society^ t)p.39-43. (.1972^^

32 Datey et al., loc, cit,

^%.L.Gharote,"Evaluation of the effects of Yogic treatment oh obesity," A paper presented at the West Zone Scientific Seminar on Indigenous System of Medicine, at Haffkine Institute, Bombay, (Aug, 1973) (unpublished) •

______,"Cardio-respiratory efficiency of asthma patients and Yogic treatment-" (Unpublished work).

______,"ANS activity in asthma patients as influenced by Yogic treatment-" (unpublished).

Anandanand, L.N. Varadani and Dharmavira, "Dia­ betes and Yoga," A paper read at the first Scientific Seminar, GCRIMH, New Delhi (Feb,1973), 46

S.M.Y.M. Samiti, Lonavla (India). But much of the work remains unpublished. Among the completed and published

studies conducted to test the effects of the selected routine of Yogic exercises using different parameters the following may be worth mentioning. I

Vijayendra Pratap,^"^ Kocher and V.Pratap^^’^®’'^^ 41 42 and Kocher ’ have studied the effects of short term course of Yogic training for 3 weeks duration on the mental

37 Vijayendra Pratap,"Steadiness in normals before and after Yogic practices - an exploratory study," Yoga Mimamsa. 11:2:1-13, (1968).

.Kocher and V.Pratap,"Neurotic trend and Yogic practices,'* Yoga Mimamsa. 14:182:34-40, (1971).

39 ------,"A free association study before and after Yogic practices," Yoga Mimamsa. 14:142:41-56(1971).

40 , — "Anxiety level and Yogic practices, "Yoga Mimamsa. 15:1:11-15, (1972).

41 H.C.Kocher, "The mirror tracing test as a measure of steadiness among Yoga practitioners," Yoga Mimamsa. 15:3:13-22, (1972).

42 ______, "Yoga practices as a variable in Neuroticism, Anxiety and Hostility," Yoga Mimamsa. 15:2:37-46, (1972). 47 health and found the Yogic practices bringing favourable 43 results. In an exploratory study Kocher and V.Pratap obtained encouraging results of Yogic training for three weeks duration on the tvo hand co-ordination. Pal sane 44 and Kocher reported in a study on the school children significant improvement in the immediate memory score as a result of short routine of Yogic exercises, Karambelkar 45 et al. studied adrenal cortical function through estimation of uropepsin excretion and found that the practice of Yogic exercises for a period of three weeks significantly reduced uropepsin excretion in male subjects and in females the reduction x

,Kocher and Vijayendra Pratap, "A psycho- physiological study of the effects of short term Yogic training on the two hand co-ordination,” Yoga Mimamsa. 14: ?A4: 45-54, (1971-72).

44 M.N.Palsane and H.G.Kocher, "The effects of short term Yogic training programme on immediate memory of school boys,” Re search Bulletin 3j 1; 33-43, (1973).

45 P.V.Karambelkar et al., “Effect of Yogic asanas on uropepsin exretion," Ind.Jbur.Med.Res. 57:5:944-947, (1^69). 48 result in reduced uropapsin excretion was supported by this observation. Although the trend of similar reduction in uropepsin excretion was seen in females, the reduction was not significant possibly because of low initial uropepsin excretion, constitutional difference coming in the way of picking up and performing asanas within limited time and the small mujnber of female subjects.

Bhole et al. ° foim'i the Yogic exercises significantly 47 improving the vital capacity. Gharote reported significant increase in the strength and endurance of the abdominal muscles of the females as a result of similar schedule of Yogic exercises. Most of these studies evaluated the effects of Yogic training having the same set of Yogic exercises.

48 In another study Gherote evaluated ps3’’cho-

.Bhole et al., "Effect of Yoga practices on vital capacity," Ind.Jour. Chest Pis. 12: ]A2:1-4, (1970).

47 M.L.Gharote, "Effect of Yogic exercises on the strength and endurance of the abdominal muscles of the females,'* Vyayam Vldnyan. 4s 1:11-13, (1970).

48 A study of Tjsychophyslological effects of short­ term Yogic exercises on the adolescent high school boys - A fie search Report submittAd to the Govt, of India, Ministry of Education, as a Research scholar under the scheme of 'Study of and Research in Indigenous Activities," (1962), pp. 56 (unpublished). 49 physiological effects o^ selected Yo'^ic exercises on the adolescent high school boys. He used Wenger's battery of tests for studying autonomic balance on one hand and

Me Curdy “Larson Organic efficiency test on the other to test the effects of Yogic training. He found significant achievement in the autonomic balance shifting it towards, increased parasympathetic fmction while encouraging trend was observed in the cardio-respiratory efficiency.

A residual effect of this training vjas also observed even after discontinuing the practice for a period of two months.

49 Girl using the same set of Yogic exercises as 50 used by Gharote studied the effects of the programme for six weeks on the five tests of ^National Physical

Efficiency Drive", viz. 80 metres sprint, 400 metres Run,

Cricket Ball Throw, Pull-ups and Running Broad Jump, He found a significant improvement among the experimental group in all the five tests as a result of Yogic training.

However, when the group discontinued the practice of Yogic

49 C.Giri, '*^oga and physical fitness with special reference to athletics," lATHPER Quarterly Journal. (Patiala), (April, 1966) pp.2-6.

®%I.L.Gharote, loc.cit. 50 exe'^cises for the same peT’iod of six weeks the effect gained was significantly lost,

51 de Vries evaluated the static stretching procedures of Hathayoga for improvement of flexibility.

Fiftyseven College subjects were divided into two groups, one of the groups trained by static stretching, the other by conventional ballistic methods of stretching for seven periods of thirty minutes each. Both the groups made statistically significant gains when measured by Cureton's flexibility tests. However, he has remarked that the static stretching metho'^ of Hathayoga seems preferable because whereas ballistic stretching methods have been commonly recognise'i as causing muscular soreness in the unconditioned person, earlier evidence by de Vries^^’^^

Herbert A. de Vries, "Evaluation of static stretching procedures for improvement of flexibility,” Research Quarterly. 33: 2; 222-229, (1962) ,

52 ------, "Prevention of muscular distress after exercise," Research Quarterly^ 32: 177-185, (1961),

53 ., "Electromyographic observations of the effects of static stretching upon muscular distress," Research Quarterly. 32:458-479, (1961), 51 presents some degree of prevention and/or relief from muscular distress by the practice of static stretching 54 method of Hathayoga. Burry has also suggested the utility of Yogic exercises in the prevention of accidents and injuries.

The studies mentioned so far tackled only limited aspects of Physical fitness such as flexibility, speed, strength, endurance etc. in an isolated manner. More elaborate attempt was made by Gharote^^ who, using an abbreviated Fleishman Battery of Basic Fitness Tssts, tried to evaluate/ the effects of short-term Yofeic train­ ing on the adult males and females. Though general physical fitness index was seen to improve significantly all the test items of the battery could not be administer­ ed in this study.

56 Therrien compared influence of a 5BX programme

.Burry, '’Athletic, Fitness? Its role in prevention of accidents and injuries," Practitioner« 206:227-233, (1971),

.Gharote, "Effect of Yogic training on physical fitness," Yoga Mimamsa. 15; 4: 31-35 (1973).

56 R.Therrien, "Influence of a 5BX and a Hathayoga training programme on selected fitness measares," M.A. in Physical Education Thesis (1968). Abstract in comnleted Research in Health, Physical Education, & I^e^s'atlon, VoT. II Washington, U.C, :'5mefTcan Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, 1969), p. 125, 52 and a Hathayoga training programme for eight weeks on selected fitness measures and concluded that neither a

Hathayoga nor a 5BX programme produced significant changes in body weight and maximum breathing capacity.

Both the programmes were effective in increasing peak flow rates and parameters measured by the Iowa Physical

Fitness Test, It appeared that a Hathayoga programme was more effective than a 5BX programme in producing peak flo’.' rate changes, while 5BX exercise programme was superior to Hathayoga training programme in increasing physical fitness performance as measured by the Iowa

Physical Fitness Test.

57 Dhanaraj also studied the effects of Yoga and the

5BX fitness plan on selected physiological parameters.

The results indicated increases in basal metabolic rate, tidal volume in basal state, T-4 thyroxine, haemoglobin, hem-atocrit, red blood cell coujit, PWG130, vital capacity, chest expansion, breath hol^^ing, time and flexibility after Yo?a trainins;. Decreases in heart rate in basal

57 V.Hubert Dhanaraj, "The e-^fects of Yoga and the 53X fitness r»lan on selected physiological pa-’ameters," Ph.D. Thesis, The University of'Alberta, Edmonton, (1974), 53 state and rssplratory rate in basal state were also observed. When Yogic training v/as discontinued for six weeks following tbe six-week treatment a significant decline in the values of flexibility and breath holi^ing time were noticed.

58 Prasad eval’iated the Yoga system of physical education using Hetherington concepts of physical education as criteria. The evaluation was made through use of scientific analysis, seminar discussions, soma experiments an^^ judgment of experts. Ratings by the experts indicated that the Yoga asanas selected make a very good contribution to flexibility, balance, and endurance but contribute only slightly to the development of strength,

59 Mathias studied effects of a two-week Hathayoga programme on the ability to learn a motor skill. She

58 ^ a m Lakhan Prasad, An evaluation of Yoga system of physical education. "Ed.D. Thesis (1959), Abstract in Completed Research in Healthy Physical Education and Recreation,Vol.2 (1966). (Washington, D.C.; AAHPER, I960), p.70. 59 • "Sharon K,Mathias, "Effects of a two-week Hatha- Yoga programme upon ability to learn a motor skill." A Master's thesis in Physical Education. Abstract in Completed Research in Health. Physical Education and Recreation. Vol. 13 (1971), (Washingtom AAHPSR J , p,90. 54 conducted this sturdy on fresh college women who received instruction in Hatha-yoga for 35 minutes a day, 5 days a week foi" two weeks. At the end of yogic instruction the expe-nimental group and a control group were instruct­ ed in how ”to juggle” . After fifteen 5-minute practice sessions, no significant difference in performance was observed between the t^o groups.

2,2 Body Composition an'i Influence of Sxj?^ercise

If body is visualised as a two component system, namely, lean body mass and body fat, several studies investigating influence of exercise on the body composition seem to have been undertaken. The possibilities of reduction of local fat deposits have been stated. ’ Stitt has given a complete annotated bibliography of studies using skinfold measurement,

60 Edwin Checkley (1895), quoted by A.L,Olson and B.Edelstein, "Spot reduction of subcutaneous adiDOse tissue,” He search Quarterly. 39:3:847-552, (19583. 61 C.J.Ga-^ling (1^44), quoted by Olson and Edelstein, Ibid.

62 Kathleen H.‘=?titt, Skinfold measurement; a method determining subcutaneous fat. (Alabama: University of Alabama, 1962^ . 55 covering types of calipers, sites of measurement, correlations with other anthropometric measures, and

relationships with grov/th, sex, age, and nutritional

status. Investigations v;ith hnjnan subjects have been

somewhat contradictory in regard to the question of whether S3 specific exercise will reduce local fat deposits. S4 Kireilis and Gareton reported that relatively more

fat was lost from the hips, rear thighs, and buttocks

than from the faces, front thighs and abdomen of subjects 65 trained by running on the treadmill. Cureton found

in young boys greater reduction of fatty tissues in the

vigorously exercised areas than in the areas that were 66 not used as intensively. Jn her recent report Mohr

63 Olson and Sdelstein, loc. cit.

Kireilis and T.K.Cureton, ’’The relationship of external fat to physical education activities and fitness tests," Research Quarterly. 18: 123-134, (1947J),

.K.Cureton. "The effect of gymnastics upon boys," quoted by Olson and Edelstein, loc. cit.

66 Dorothy ?.Mohr, "Changes in waistline and abdominal girth and subcutaneous fat fallowing isometric exercises," Research Quarterly. 36: 168-173, (1965). -o 58 recorded that abdominal Isometric exercises performed daily by 30 uMMen resulted in a significant reduction in the abdominal area. Her report was in agreement with 57 68 the findings of Vandine and Day, However, in the study of ^ay, since the change disappeared rapidly after the training period she attributed the differences to 69 postural adjustments. Roby " did not obse:"V3 any significant loss of subcutaneous fat at triceps following 70 ten weeks weight trainin?' programme. Rony stated that the opinions expressed about the subcutaneous fat reduction by exercise may be pu^e conjecture based on theory and the few poorly controlled studies. He

67 Do"^a Vandine, ”A comparison of the effect of isometric and Isotonic exercises on reduction of girth of the glutei and thigh muscles,'* Unpublished Master's thesis (1984), cited by Mohr, Ibid. 68 I.June Day, "A study of the reduction of the waistline of women by maximum isometric contraction of the abdominal wall," Unpublished Master's thesis (1957), cited by Mohr, loc.cit. 69 F.B.Roby, ’’Effect of exercise on regional sub­ cutaneous fat acciLmulations, ” Research Quarterly, 33; 273-278, (1962).

.R.Rony, Obesity and Leanness, (Philadelphia: Lea an^ ^ebiger, lP4d), quoted by Rooy, Ibid. 57

concluded that this popular idea of eliminating

regional fat accumulations with specifically planned

exercise of certain group of muscles is not supported 71,72 by reliable evidence. Thompson obtained

significant changes in skin^old measurements at the

abdomen, chest and upper arm with football, basketball

and hockey players after a season of athletic partici- 73 pation. Stefanik et al, observed that when weight

loss occurred this was accompanied by loss of subscapular

and abdominal skinfold thickness, but not in the arms. 74 Garn and Brozek found that during weight loss, fat was

71 Clem ¥.Thompson, "Changes in body fat estimated from skinfold measurements of varsity College football players'during a season," Research Quarterly. 30:87- 93, (1^59).

72 Clem.W.Thompson, et al., "Changes in body fat, estimated froni skinfold measurements of college basket­ ball and hockey players during a season," Re search Quarterly. 27:418-430, (1956).

73^ Patricia A.Stefanik et al., "Physical pelfformance, skinfold meas’jrement s, activity expenditure and food consumption of college woman," Research Quarterly. 32* 229-237, (1961).

74 S.M.Garn and J.Bro'^ek, "Fat changes during weight loss," Science. 124:682-689, (1956). 58

withdrawn in proportion to the Initial amount present;

the thickest deposits sustained the greatest loss

during calorie restrictions. Most of the research on

girth and fat reduction has pertained to body measure­

ments after isotonic exer-cises or athletic programme^ 75 (Kireilis and Gureton).

76 Smith also studied the effect of physical

activity on percent bo-^y fat. The percentage of body fat

was determined by the Behnke anthropometric technique.

Sight skeletal diameter and five circnmference measures

were taken. The activity involved beginning bowling and movement principles classes. Neither activity had a

significant effect on percent of body fat, body weight,

or waist circujnference.

75 Kireilis and Gureton, loc, cit,

76 Virginia L.Smith, ”Th3 effect of physical activity on percent of body fat,” M,A, in Phy.Bdn. thesis, 1968 (unpublished). Abstract in Completed Research in Health. Physical Sducation and i>>p io 1,11 (1969) ,' (Washington, D,G,: AAHPER, 1969/, p. 124. 59

77 Boileau at al, studied the effects of a ■vreight

training programme and a .jogging programme on body

composition in adult men. Twentyone subjects aged 23-48

years were randomly formed into weight training group, .

Jogging group and control group. Body composition was

assessed by duplicate pretraining and post-training

measures of body potassium, eleven skinfold thickness

sites and 4 body girth sites. The physical training

programmes were conducted for 13 weeks, 3 days per week,

30 minutes per session. Significant increments in fat

free weight assessed by 40K v/hole body counting, and in

chest and upper arm girths were found in the weight train­

ing group relative to decrements in these measures observed in the Jogging and control groups. Body fat determined in all three g^-oups from 40K and skinfold thickness measurements did not significantly change, with the exception of a statistically significant decrement in the cheek skinfold measurement of the jogging l group.

Although tremendous work has been done in other

77 Richard A.Bioleu, Benjamin H.Massey and James E..Misner, "Body Composition Changes in adult men during selected weight training and jogging programmes,” Research Quarterly. 44:2: 158-168, (1973), 60 countries in the field of soraatometric measurements

(body composition) and influence of exercise on it, such investigations are very scanty in Indian population, orv Earlier soraatometric inve stigations^adult s in India 78 79 80 (Biswas, Irawati Karve,. ’ Iravati Karve and 81 82 Dandekar, Tii^ari ^ were mainly concerned with ethnic studietQ and more emphasis was given on various head and face^ measurements or the measurements that were found useful for racial classifications. Nutritional somato- metric measurements in In'^^ia have been confined to new born and to the pre-school and school-going children of

78 p.C.Biswas, Santals of the Santal Parganaa, (Delhi; Bharatiya Adimajati Sangh) , (1956) .

79 Irawati Karve, ’’Anthropometric investigation of the Madhyandih Brahmins of the Maratha coujitry," Bulletin of the Deccan College "Research Institute. 3* l: 1-74, (1941).

80 ------Anthropological measurements of the Marathas«” Deccan College Monograph Series, 2:1-71, (1948) .

81 ------^---- , and V.M.Dandekar, Anthropometric measurements of , Deccan College Monograph Series 8s 1-134 (1951).

82 S.C.Ti-'Tari, ’’Anthropometric study of the Bhotias of Almora District (IT.P.),” Anthropologist. 1:22-32, (1954). 61

go 04 g5 different age groups. " ’ ’ Some solitary Indian studies pertaining to skinfolds and somatotjrpe dis­ tribution in College stu(5ents worth mentioning are those 86 on of Tulika Sen and Berry.

The review of literature does not give much information about the effects of Yogic exercises. More scientific information is needed T-alated to the type, intensity and variety of exercises utilized to prepare the person for general physical fitness.

2.3 Problem of the Study

Most investigations attempting to assess the value

Raghubir Singh, and P.S.Venkatachalam, "Anthro­ pometric studies of the new born," Indian Journal of Medical Research. 50:794-799, (1962TT

% .c .Swaminathan et al., "Evaluation of Midday meal programme in Hyderabad city - Andhra Pradesh,” Indian Journal of Public Health. 8:65-73, (1964).

.Swaminathan et al., "A semilongitudinal study of growth of children related factors," 'Indian Pediatrics. 1*225-263, (1964).

86„ Tulika Sen, "Subcutaneous fat of the Bengalee school and college girls," Journal of Indian Anthropological Scoiety, 4:31-42, (1969),

Ps*7 J.M.Berry, "Somatotype distribution in male college students in Northern India," American Journal of Physical Anthronologv. 36: 85-94, (1P72). 62 of physical activity as a means of altering body composition have' employed repetitive endurance type of acti-^ities. The activities generally involve high energy eicpenditure and are ccmnDnly believed to be effective in contributing to physical fitness and weight reduction through the loss of body fat. The effectiveness of physical activities like Yogic exercises requiring less energy expenditure to Dhysical fitness and body composition modification is not well known. The review of literature does not reveal many studies investigating the effects of Yogic exercises on the physical fitness and body composition.

Physical educators are interested in the degree to which individuals participate in variety of exercise programmes. Some of them feel the need of helping the individuals to change activity patterns of the Individuals so as to provide a suitable programme to maintain or improve their fitness. In order to accomplish this we need as much information as possible about the effects of different exercise programmes.

In view of the limited opportunity for most persons to participate in regular vigorous physical exercises like games and sports, especially after student life, it would 63 be desirable to arrive at nonstrenuoas bat effective programme of exercise requiring inexpensive and minimum means and applicable to most age groups.

This study proposes to analyse the effect of selected Yogic exercises on the physical fitness and body composition of the participants and obtain evidence which might be used to decide the desirability of teaching yogic exercises for Improving an^ maintaining Dhysical fitness, i-f* possible.

The specific objectives of the present study were :

1. To determine whether general physical fitness as measured by the Fleishman Battery of Basic Fitness Tests, would be improved with the selected yogic exercise s;

2. To determine whether different items of this physical fitness test battery also record significant improvement,

3. To determine whether the improvement in general physical fitness, if there b]^ any, is sustained after the discontinuation of the practice of the selected Yogic exercises for a neriod of three we-^ks,

4. To determine whether the ifliprovement is also sustained uniformly in different items of the test battery after discontinuing the practice of the select­ ed Yogic exercises for a period of three weeks.

5. To study the effect of the practice of the selected Yogic exercises for a period of three weeks on the body fat pe-^centage, body density and the skinfold distribution of the adults. 64

2.4 Hypothe se s

The hypotheses sought to be tested were :

1. Practice of selected Yogic exercises will improve the general physical fitness as tested by the Fleishman Battery of Basic Fitness Tests.

2. Individual tests of the battery indicating specific aspect of physical fitness also will shov/ significant improvement as a result of selected yogic exercises.

3. The improvement in general physical fitness \>!±11 be sustained even after the discontinuation of the practice of the selected yogic exercises for a period of three weeks.

4. Uni]({form improvement is expected in the case of individual test items of the battery representing various aspects of physical fitness.

5. Practice of the selected Yogic exercises for three weeks will help the adult individuals to attain favourable results in the reduction of body fat percentage, increase in body density and decrease in the skinfold distribution.