Comparison of Yoga Versus Sports Activities in Improving Cardiac Autonomic Function in Adolescents with Perceived Anxiety: A Comparative Randomized Pilot Study

Objectives Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive metric to assess the psycho-physiological fluctuations in the temporal intervals between successive heartbeats. This measure offers valuable insights into the dynamic equilibrium between the activities of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. In the academic setting, stress can negatively impact psychological well-being, potentially resulting in emotional distress and reduced cognitive function and learning abilities. Failure to seek treatment for an extended period may result in irreversible changes in autonomic functions, leading to significant alterations in cardiovascular health. The primary aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of yoga and sports activities on cardiac autonomic function in adolescents who are experiencing anxiety. Materials and Methods The interventional study occurred at the Department of Allied Health Science in a private medical college and hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The study included forty adolescent students (aged 19–24) with reported anxiety that attended a paramedical college and had no previous exposure to yoga and sports activities. Results Significant differences were identified across several parameters within the yoga group following eight sessions, notably in standard deviation of the normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), mean RR interval, mean heart rate, root mean square of successive differences between successive normal heartbeats, MxDMN, and pNN50. The yoga group demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in SDNN parameters compared to baseline measurements after the eighth session, which strongly suggests an enhanced capacity for stress management attributable to the yoga interventions. In contrast, the sports group did not exhibit any significant changes in SDNN, mean RR interval, or MxDMN, as P -values remained above the threshold of 0.05. Conclusion The research identified a notable enhancement in cardiac autonomic function, signifying that Yoga positively influences an individual’s overall health.