Quality in Sport (Sep 2024)

Analysis of the Effects of Regular Yoga on the Adaptive Capacity of the Nervous System

  • Julia Szafraniec,
  • Mateusz Biesok,
  • Natalia Lewoniuk,
  • Katarzyna Szczurek,
  • Dawid Szczepanek,
  • Anna Szwinge,
  • Julianna Szwancyber,
  • Krzysztof Świerz,
  • Weronika Wacławik,
  • Maksymilian Macherski

DOI
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2024.22.54604
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22

Abstract

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Abstract: Introduction: Regular yoga practice positively affects physical and mental health, including stress reduction, emotional regulation, and cognitive enhancement. Recent research highlights yoga's potential to strengthen the nervous system's adaptability, promoting well-being and managing stress and anxiety. Aim of the study: This review aimed to demonstrate yoga's influence on nervous system adaptability and provide an overview of how yoga practices enhance neuroadaptation, highlighting benefits in improving neural resilience and adaptive capacities. Materials and methods: This paper analyzes current knowledge on the neurological consequences of excessive body weight. The review focused on clinical studies from 2018 to 2024, including review papers and meta-analyses. Literature was reviewed from PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords: “yoga,” “nervous system,” “stress,” “anxiety,” “depression,” “sleep problems,” “Alzheimer's disease,” “Parkinson's disease,” “epilepsy,” and “emotion regulation.” Discussion: Yoga significantly impacts the nervous system's adaptive capacity, improving mental and physical health. Regular practice enhances neuronal plasticity, aiding stress management and cognitive functions. Yoga breathing techniques reduce cortisol levels and increase certain neurotransmitters, regulating mood and autonomic nervous system function. The study did not explore different types of yoga on specific disorders, indicating a need for further research. Conclusions: This paper underscores yoga's role in enhancing the nervous system's adaptive capacity. Yoga shows promise in improving neural resilience and adaptive capacities, making it a valuable holistic healthcare approach. Understanding these benefits can guide healthcare professionals in integrating yoga into strategies to improve patient well-being, emphasizing its role in fostering physical and mental resilience.

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