EFFECT OF AEROBIC EXERCISES AND YOGIC PRACTICES ON SELECTED PHYSIOLOGICAL, HAEMATOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AMONG THE MIDDLE AGED MEN A Thesis Submitted to the Pondicherry University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION By B.SIVAKUMAR Research supervisor Dr.D.SULTANA DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS PONDICHERRY UNIVERSITY PUDUCHERRY INDIA May 2010 Dr. D. SULTANA, Reader, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry- 605 014 India. CERTIFICATE This is to certify that the thesis entitled “EFFECT OF AEROBIC EXERCISES AND YOGIC PRACTICES ON SELECTED PHYSIOLOGICAL, HAEMATOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AMONG THE MIDDLE AGED MEN” is a record of research work done by Mr. B.SIVAKUMAR, during the period of his study under my guidance and that the thesis has not previously been formed on the basis for the award of any degree, diploma, associateship, fellowship or any other similar title. This is also to certify that the thesis represents the independent work of the candidate. Place: Pondicherry (Dr. D. SULTANA) Date: Research supervisor B. SIVAKUMAR Physical Education Teacher T.P.G.G.H.S.S, Ariyankuppam, Puducherry - 605 004. India. DECLARATION I here by declare that the research works entitled, “EFFECT OF AEROBIC EXERCISES AND YOGIC PRACTICES ON SELECTED PHYSIOLOGICAL, HAEMATOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AMONG THE MIDDLE AGED MEN” being submitted through the Department of Physical Education and Sports , Pondicherry University , Puducherry, India in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Education under the guidance and supervision of Dr. D.Sultana, Reader, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India is an original piece of research work done by me and that the thesis has not previously been formed the basis for the award of any degree, diploma, associateship, fellowship or any other similar title. (B.SIVAKUMAR) Place: Puducherry Date: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT First of all I thank God Almighty for giving me the knowledge and wisdom for taking up this study. I express my profound gratitude and sincere thanks to my inspiring guide Dr.D.Sultana, Reader, Pondicherry University, Puducherry for her scholarly guidance and advice, valuable suggestions and supervision, needed encouragement and above all for being patient with me throughout the study. I would like to extend my gratitude to Dr.N.Govindarajulu, Head of the Department, and Dr. P.K. Subramaniam, Reader, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Pondicherry University, Puducherry for his support and encouragement for the completion of the thesis. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Dr.S. Pannirselvame, Professor, Department of French, Pondicherry University, Puducherry for his help rendered towards the successful completion of the study. I acknowledge with thanks the help rendered by Dr.G.Ravindran, Professor, Annamalai University, Dr.M.Elango, Head of the Department, Department of Physical Education, MDT Hindu College, Tirunelveli and Thiru. B. Selvam, Sr. Lecturer Department of Mathematics, Bharathidassan College for Women, Puducherry, in computing the statistics. I extend my gratitude to Thiru. V. Meibalan, Deputy Librarian, Pondicherry University, Puducherry for his valuable suggestions and references from the Library for the Completion of the thesis. I extend my sincere thanks to Thiru. B. Ramesh, Sr. Lecturer, Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering and technology for help and support rendered for the whole study. This thesis would not have been a success if my better half Mrs. Sivashanthi,TGT, had not shown love and affection all through these years. I must acknowledge the help and guidance of Dr.T. Santhamoorthy, Senior Resident, JIPMER, Puducherry. I extend my hearty thanks to Mr. Ram Mohan Singh, Physical Director, Rajiv Gandhi Government Arts College, Thavalakuppam, Puducherry, for his help and support rendered for the whole study. I extend my sincere thanks to Mr. R.Muthuselvam, Physical Education Teacher, Calve College Government French High School, Puducherry, and Mr.V. Rajendiran, Physical Education Teacher, Government High School, Thengaithittu, Puducherry for their help in the collection of data. I am pleased to acknowledge Mr.T.Chandrasekar a Trained Graduate Teacher (English), and Mr. Richard A. Perthus, Trained Graduate Teacher (English) of TPGGHSS, Ariyankuppam, and Puducherry in perfecting the language aspect of this thesis. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Mr. R. Ronald Mahimai Doss, Computer Instructor, of Thanthai Periyar Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Ariyankuppam, Puducherry, for his Data entry work and the Staff members of Thanthai Periyar Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Ariyankuppam, Puducherry their support and encouragement for the successful completion of the thesis. Last but not the least; the researcher sincerely extends his profound gratefulness to the teachers who acted as subjects in the test and training with enthusiasm. B.Sivakumar VITAE Name of the Investigator : B.SIVAKUMAR Place of Birth : Pondicherry. Date of Birth : 12.04. 1971 Schools and colleges attended  Petit Seminaire Higher Secondary school, Puducherry.  Government Higher Secondary School, Thavalakuppam , Puducherry.  Pondicherry University, Puducherry.  Annamalai University,Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. Degrees Awarded  Bachelor of Science (1993), Pondicherry University, Puducherry.  Master of Physical Education and Sports (1995), Pondicherry University, Puducherry.  Master of Philosophy (2004), Annamalai University, Chdiambaram, Tamil Nadu. Professional Experience  Physical Training Instructor, The Laidlaw Memorial School and Junior college, Ketti, Nilgris.  Physical Education Teacher, Government High School, Arumbarthapuram, Puducherry.  Physical Education Teacher, TPGGHSS, Ariyankuppam, Puducherry. Achievements in Games and Sports  Represented the Pondicherry University Cricket Men Team in inter university from the year 1991- 1995.  Represented the Pondicherry University Cricket Men Team as a CAPTAIN during the year 1994-1995.  Represented the Pondicherry University Team ones in Badminton in inter university competitions, Chennai, 1992-1993.  Represented Pondicherry University for Youth Festival held at Calicut in the year 1993 -1994.  Represented as a cricket coach for Puducherry state schools team for National School Games Championships -2000 and 2006. Awards  Best Batsman Award in the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Cup conducted by Nehru Yua Kendra, Pondicherry in the year 1994. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES i LIST OF FIGURES iii Chapter I INTRODUCTION 1 Fitness Physical fitness Meaning of yoga Physiological views of yoga Benefits of yoga Recent Development in yoga Aerobic exercises Meaning of aerobic exercises Aerobic is an excellent physical activity Benefits of aerobics Physiological changes on aerobics Recent development in aerobics Yoga and aerobic exercises Importance of dependent variables Statement of the problem Hypothesis Delimitations Limitations Definition of the terms Significance of the study II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 22 III METHODOLOGY 56 Selection of subjects Experimental design Selection of criterion variables Criterion measures Reliability of instruments Reliability of data and tester competency Orientation to the subjects Pilot study Training programme Aerobic exercise training programme Details of yogic practices Method of data collection Administration of Tests Experimental Design and statistical procedure IV ANALYSIS OF THE DATA AND INTERPRETATION OF THE STUDY 92 Analysis of Data Level of significance Discussion on the Findings Discussion on Hypothesis V SUMMARY CONCLUSIONS AND 137 RECOMMENDATIONS Summary Conclusions Recommendations BIBLIOGRAPHY Books 141 Journals Unpublished Thesis APPENDICES 153