~ 462 ~ International Journal of Physiology, Nutrition and Physical Education 2019; 4(1): 462-465 ISSN: 2456-0057 IJPNPE 2019; 4(1): 462-465 © 2019 IJPNPE www.journalofsports.com Received: 04-11-2018 Accepted: 07-12-2018 Deepak Singh Patial Ph.D. Scholar, Swami Vivekanand University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India Nilesh N Bansode Research Guide, Swami Vivekanand University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India Sunil G Purohit Junior Scientific Officer, SAI, NS NIS, Patiala, Punjab, India Correspondence Deepak Singh Patial Ph.D. Scholar, Swami Vivekanand University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India Effects of yoga on the psycho-physiological components of the adolescent fencers Deepak Singh Patial, Nilesh N Bansode and Sunil G Purohit Abstract The aim of the present study is to assess effect of yogic exercises on the psycho-physiological components of the adolescent fencers. Total sixty male fencing players (n=60) belonging to Pune (Maharashtra, India), having age ranged from 14 –18 years were selected randomly. All the subjects were further divided equally into two groups i.e. Group –A and Group B. Pre and post test selected psychological viz. concentration & mood states and physiological variables viz. systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate & vital capacity were evaluated after 8 weeks of yoga exercises and fencing training for group A fencers and only fencing training for group B fencers. Result shows that the training intervention of yoga practices had statistically significant effects on selected psychological and physiological components. Further, yoga practices plays vital role in improving psychological and physiological components of the Fencing players. Keywords: Concentration, mood states, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, vital capacity Introduction Competitive fencing is divided into three categories viz., the foil, the sabre and the epee. To achieve success in fencing the training processes depend on developing physical, physiological and psychological aspects. Therefore, the performance in this game is not only dependent on physical abilities but also on physiological and psychological parameters is of prime importance. Previous research has demonstrated the heart rate to be in the range of 167 to 191 beats·min-1 for 60% of the fencing duration during a Women’s epee competition (Li et al. 1999) [11] . Nevertheless, earlier research studies indicate that yoga practices are helpful to improve physical fitness components and maintain psycho-physiological health. Yogic practices include postures, controlled breathing and meditation which are commonly practiced as mind-body approach. Previous studies demonstrated that yoga exercises improved mood (Berger and Owen 1992 and Berger and Owen 1988) [1, 2] . Additionally, the practice of yoga emphasizes body awareness and involves focusing one’s attention on breathing or specific muscles or body parts, and therefore it might be possible that yoga may improve more abilities. Scientific evidence indicates that yoga may be useful for musculoskeletal health, (Garfinkel & Schumacher, 2000) [7] Psychologically, yoga may reduce hostility (Bhushan & Sinha 2001) [3] , improve mood (Lavey et al., 2005; Netz & Lidor, 2003) [13] , and reduce stress (Bower et al., 2005; Carlson et al., 2004; Gura, 2002; Shapiro et al., 2005) [4, 5, 9, 15] . Traditional yoga theory indicates that the effects of yoga are due to its combined impact on the mind and body. Though benefits of yoga practices are evident, however, very few studies in relation to yoga and performance in fencing have been conducted therefore; researcher of present investigation carried this study with aim to assess effect of yoga on psycho-physiological aspects of adolescent fencers. Materials & methods Sixty male epee fencing players (n=60) belonging to Pune (Maharashtra, India), having age ranged from 14 –18 years were selected randomly. All the 60 subjects were divided randomly into two groups viz; Group –A (Selected yoga practices plus fencing practices) and Group – B (wait list control with fencing practices only).