International Journal of PHYSICAL EDUCATION, FITNESS AND SPORTS Vol. 6, Iss. 2, Year. 2017 Int. J. Phys. Ed. Fit. Sports, 54-57|54 Received 20 th June 2017, Accepted 30 th June 2017 www.ijpefs. com DOI: 10.26524/2017.06.02.11 Effect of yogic practices on selected physiological variables among hypertensive middle-aged women M. Manimekalai a,* R. Elangovan a a Department of Yoga, Department of Yoga, Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University, Chennai – 600 127, Tamil Nadu, India *Corresponding Author: +91 9841368740; Email: yogamanimekalai85@gmail.com ABSTRACT: The purpose of the random group experimental study was to investigate the effect of Yogic Practices on selected Physiological variables such as Systolic, Diastolic and Body Mass Index (BMI) among Hypertensive middle- aged women. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant difference due to Yogic Practices on selected Physiological variables such as Systolic, Diastolic and Body Mass Index (BMI) among Hypertensive middle-aged women than the control group. Random group experimental design was used. The random sampling design was followed to select the subjects. To achieve the purpose of the study, 30 women between the age 45 and 55 years were selected randomly from Chennai and they were divided into two groups such as Yogic Practices (Group A) and Control Group (Group B). Each group consists of 15 subjects. The pre-test was taken for the two Groups on the selected dependent variables before the start of the training program. Group A was undergoing Yogic Practices for 12weeks, 6 days a week, One-hour maximum daily and Group B (Control Group) was permitted to undergo their normal lifestyle (active rest) during the course of the experiment. After the experimental period of 12 weeks, Post-tests were conducted for the two groups on selected dependent variables. The selected Physiological variables such as Systolic, Diastolic and Body Mass Index (BMI) were measured through Lab test. Analysis of Co-Variance (ANCOVA) was used to find out the significant difference between experimental group and the Control Group. The test of significance was fixed at 0.05 level of confidence. It was concluded that Yogic Practices improved Physiological variables among Hypertensive middle-aged women than the Control Group. Hence, the hypothesis was accepted at 0.05 level of confidence. Keywords: Yogic practices, Systolic, Diastolic, Body Mass Index (BMI). Introduction Health is the “State of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity”- World Health Organization of the United Nations. The disease is an abnormal condition of an organism that impairs bodily functions, associated with specific symptoms and signs. In human beings, “disease” is often used more broadly to refer to any condition that caused pain, dysfunction, distress, social problems, and/or death to the person afflicted, or similar problems for those in contact with the person. Middle aged women the period of age beyond young and adulthood but before the onset of old age. Various attempts have been made to define this age. Which is around the third quarter of average lifespan of a human being. Middle age is not defined solely by chronological age but is a product of biological, social and psychological factors. Women and Yoga have a deep connection as women have a lot of changes going in the body every month and then due to sudden changes in the middle- aged women, their mood disturbed. Hypertension is a psychosomatic disorder. Hypertension is a state in which Systolic blood pressure is maintained above 140 mmHg or more and diastolic blood pressure more than 90 mmHg. Six out of ten women at 15 crore Indians suffer from Hypertension. Salt intake is double and dangerous of Hypertension risk in India (Delhi – 14.13gm/day, Kolkata – 9.81 gm/day, Mumbai – 10.21 mm/day, Bangalore and Chennai – 9.38 gm/day) (Times of India – Dec-17-2016 Sat.) Yogic practices dilate the blood vessels thus reducing pressure; removes excess water and salt from the body. Set the right sympathetic nervous system to overcome stress. Objectives of the study To find out whether there would be any significant difference on selected Physiological variables such as Systolic, Diastolic and Body Mass Index (BMI) among Hypertension middle-aged women.