P. SUDHAN,S. JAHIRA PARVEEN
DOI: https://doi.org/Objective:
The objective of this study is to develop and evaluate a mathematical model for Utkatasana, focusing on the interactions between muscles and joints during the pose. The study aims to assess the accuracy of a real-time pose recognition simulation system by comparing its joint angle measurements to those obtained through traditional goniometer methods. Additionally, the research seeks to analyse the impact of Utkatasana on stress reduction by evaluating changes in systolic blood pressure and respiration rates in both an experimental group practicing Utkatasana and a control group. Through these assessments, the study aims to determine the effectiveness of Utkatasana in improving balance, posture stability, and stress management.
Design/Methodology/Approach
The study emphasizes maintaining correct posture during Utkatasana, which is controlled by the body's center of gravity. A mathematical model of human kinetic movement was developed and analysed using both simulation software and traditional goniometer measurements. The proposed simulation system was designed to monitor body movements in real-time, calculating joint angles to ensure pose accuracy. An independent samples t-test was conducted to compare the accuracy of the simulation system with traditional goniometer measurements. Additionally, the study examined Utkatasana impact on stress reduction by evaluating changes in systolic blood pressure and respiration rates. The initial sample of 15 participants was expanded in a second experiment by adding 15 participants to create a control group, resulting in a total of 30 participants. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess pre- and post-test systolic blood pressure and respiration rates in both the experimental group practicing Utkatasana and the control group, providing insights into the pose's effectiveness in stress management
Result/Findings
The study demonstrated that the human simulation system effectively detects joint points and measures angles in real-time, providing reliable assessments of Utkatasana poses. The independent samples t-test showed no statistically significant differences between the simulation system and traditional goniometer measurements for various joints, such as dorsiflexion (F(1, 28) = 0.242, p = 0.627) and knee (F = 0.007, p = 0.934). Similarly, hip and shoulder measurements also indicated no significant differences, validating the accuracy of the simulation system. The Mann-Whitney U test revealed no significant difference between the experimental and control groups at the pre-test phase for systolic blood pressure (U = 100.000, p = 0.602) and respiration rate (U = 111.500, p = 0.967). However, post-test results showed significant reductions in systolic blood pressure (U = 33.000, p = 0.001) and respiration rate (U = 34.000, p = 0.001) for the experimental group practicing Utkatasana, while no significant changes were observed in the control group. These findings highlight Utkatasana's effectiveness in reducing stress-related physiological parameters and its potential benefits for neuromuscular health. The simulation system’s accurate real-time pose recognition further supports its application in both online and offline practice settings
Research Limitations/Implications:
The initial sample size of participants limits the generalizability of the findings. Future studies should include larger, more diverse groups and explore other yoga poses to enhance understanding of yoga's effects on physiological and psychological health. Although the simulation system demonstrated accuracy, further research is needed to assess its applicability in different settings. The second experiment with 30 participants revealed significant reductions in post-test systolic blood pressure and respiration rates for the Utkatasana group.
