Mitra Sudeep, Mitra Mousumi, Saha Mantu, Nandi Dilip Kumar
Laboratory of Human Performance, Department of Human Physiology, Department of BMLT, Raja Narendralal Khan Women's College (Autonomous), Affiliated to Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal, 721102, India.
Exercise Physiology & Yoga Laboratory, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi, 110054, India.
Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2025 Mar;50(1):135-148. doi: 10.1007/s10484-024-09678-7. Epub 2024 Nov 27.
Hormonal shifts during the menstrual cycle (MC) cause autonomic imbalances and psycho-physiological distress in eumenorrheic females. This present study reveals that yoga proactively improves the overall psychophysiological health and wellness in eumenorrheic female college students during different phases of MC. Healthy eumenorrheic female college students (M= 20.11 ± 5.39 years, n = 82) were randomized to a control and yoga group (n = 41). A well-conceptualized yoga module (CYM) for 5 days/week for 3 months (1 h daily in the morning) was practiced by the yoga group volunteers. Intra and intergroup comparisons were performed for the estimation of mindfulness awareness scale (MAAS), menstrual distress questionnaire (MDQ), cardiometabolic risk factors, heart rate variability (HRV), and endurance fitness during the luteal (LP) and follicular (FP) phases. Psychophysiological discomforts before CYM practice were mostly observed during LP compared to FP due to significant changes in mindfulness, pain, concentration, autonomic reactivity, negative affect, double product (DoP), rate pressure product (RPP), and HRV values. CYM practice influenced HRV parameters for an increase in parasympathetic activity and a decrease in sympathetic balance for better cardiac-autonomic functioning, with significant improvement in maximal oxygen consumption (VO) and physical work capacity (PWC). Accordingly, MAAS and MDQ scores also improved significantly after yogic practice. The intra-group and inter-group significant improvements in psychophysiological parameters through CYM practice are relevant in eumenorrheic females to perform effectively throughout their MC period, by improving MC distress and sympathovagal (LF/HF) balance.
月经周期（MC）中的激素变化会导致月经正常的女性出现自主神经失衡和心理生理困扰。本研究表明，瑜伽能积极改善月经正常的女大学生在月经周期不同阶段的整体心理生理健康状况。将健康的月经正常的女大学生（平均年龄M = 20.11 ± 5.39岁，n = 82）随机分为对照组和瑜伽组（n = 41）。瑜伽组志愿者每周进行5天、为期3个月（每天上午1小时）的精心设计的瑜伽课程（CYM）。在黄体期（LP）和卵泡期（FP），对正念觉察量表（MAAS）、月经困扰问卷（MDQ）、心脏代谢危险因素、心率变异性（HRV）和耐力适应性进行组内和组间比较。由于正念、疼痛、注意力、自主反应性、负面影响、双乘积（DoP）、速率压力乘积（RPP）和HRV值的显著变化，与卵泡期相比，在黄体期CYM练习前的心理生理不适大多被观察到。CYM练习影响HRV参数，使副交感神经活动增加，交感神经平衡降低，从而改善心脏自主功能，最大摄氧量（VO）和体力工作能力（PWC）显著提高。因此，瑜伽练习后MAAS和MDQ评分也显著改善。通过CYM练习，心理生理参数在组内和组间的显著改善对月经正常的女性很重要，通过改善月经困扰和交感神经-迷走神经（LF/HF）平衡，她们在整个月经周期都能有效发挥功能。
