DISCUSSION

There was a significant increase in baseline tapping speed (TS) between 0-10 seconds (TS1) 10-20 seconds (TS2) and 20-30 seconds (TS3) in both adults and children after 30 and 10 days of yoga respectively. However when TS between 20-30 seconds (TS3) and 0-10 seconds (TS1) was compared, all subjects of yoga and control groups showed a significant decrease in TS3 versus TS1, initially and finally. There is no clear pattern of change in motor speed asymmetry (MSA), hence the data were not analysed further. The increase in baseline TSI, TS2 and TS3, following yoga may be attributed to better motor co-ordination (7) either associated with, or independent of improved muscular efficiency following yoga (8). The absence of change in the control group helps to rule out a retest, or practice effect. There was no control group for the children who received yoga training, hence the retest effect was not ruled out.

At each trial, as subjects continued the task for 3 contiguous 10-seconds periods, the TS3 significantly reduced, suggesting a fatigue effect. Hence for this repetitive and continuous task, yoga practice did not reduce fatigue. This may also be related to the fact that in the first 10 seconds, after yoga training, subjects were significantly faster than in the first 10 seconds period before learning yoga. It is well known that an initial spurt of speed is difficult to sustain and results in fatigue. Strength typically refers to the capacity of the muscles to exert force under static conditions, though it can be measured under dynamic conditions also. It was found that slower movements usually result in higher levels of measured strength (9). Also in case of repetitive dynamic work, the combination of force and frequency of repetition determines the length of time that the activity can be endured. The present results suggest that in adults and children of both sexes, yoga practice for 30 and 10 days respectively, increases the initial speed of tapping, which does not persist during the last 20-seconds of a 30-seconds test. It is also interesting to understand whether this result is restricted to speed of finger movement, or if it affects gross activities which require repetitive responses, such as swimming and bicycling.