EVALUATION OF RASAYANA & YOGIC REGIMENS FOR ENDURANCE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/jahim.v6.i1.2026.83Keywords:
Ayurveda, Rasayana Therapy, Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera), Yogic Regimen, Vyayama Shakti, Physical Endurance, Vo₂ Max, Heart Rate Recovery, Fatigue, Sportspersons, Comparative Clinical Study, Integrative MedicineAbstract [English]
Background:
Ayurveda describes Bala (strength) and Vyayama Shakti (exercise capacity) as indicators of vitality and endurance. Rasayana therapy and Yogic regimens are traditional methods for promoting physical and mental resilience. Contemporary sports science emphasizes physiological and psychological endurance as determinants of athletic performance. Integrating Ayurvedic Rasayana principles with yoga may enhance stamina, recovery, and adaptability to physical stress.
Objective:
To evaluate the comparative efficacy of a combined Rasayana and Yogic regimen versus a standard diet control on physical endurance, physiological recovery, and subjective fatigue among sportspersons aged 18–25 years.
Methods:
A 16-week, randomized, comparative clinical study was conducted among 60 healthy sportspersons (30 experimental, 30 control) in an Ayurvedic medical college setting. The experimental group received Ashwagandha churna (5 g twice daily with milk) and performed a daily Yogic regimen (Surya Namaskar, Nadi Shodhana, Bhastrika, and Shavasana; 45 min).
The control group maintained a regular diet without any Rasayana or yoga intervention. Physiological parameters—VO₂ max, endurance time, and heart rate recovery—were measured alongside psychological (perceived exertion, fatigue score) and Ayurvedic (Vyayama Shakti scale) indicators. Data were analyzed using SPSS and GraphPad Prism with paired/unpaired t-tests and ANOVA at p < 0.05 significance.
The following parameters defines the study:
- Study Type: Comparative clinical study (Rasayana + Yogic regimen vs. control group with regular diet)
- Sample Size: 60 sportspersons (30 in each group)
- Age Range: 18–25 years
- Duration: 16 weeks
- Location: Ayurvedic medical college sports training facility
- Ethical Status: Approved by institutional ethics committee
- Assessment Parameters:
- Physiological: VO₂ max, endurance time, heart rate recovery
- Psychological: perceived exertion, fatigue score
- Ayurvedic: Vyayama Shakti assessment scale
- Analysis Tools: SPSS and GraphPad Prism; statistical tests—paired/unpaired t-test, ANOV
Results:
Preliminary findings showed statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) in VO₂ max, endurance time, and recovery rate in the Rasayana–Yoga group compared with controls. Perceived exertion and fatigue scores decreased, while Vyayama Shakti levels increased, indicating enhanced physiological and psychological stamina. The control group showed marginal, non-significant improvement attributable to regular sports training alone.
Conclusion:
The combined Rasayana and Yogic regimen demonstrated measurable enhancement in endurance and recovery, validating the Ayurvedic concept of Rasayana in modern sports physiology. Further large-scale and biochemical studies are recommended to standardize protocols for sportspersons.
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