RASAYANA AND YOGA IN ENHANCING ENDURANCE

Background Ayurveda conceptualizes Bala (strength) and Vyayama Shakti (capacity for physical exertion) as indicators of functional vitality and endurance. Rasayana therapy is traditionally described as a means to enhance systemic resilience and adaptive capacity. Yogic practices, particularly controlled breathing and structured physical postures, are considered supportive for neuromuscular coordination and autonomic balance. Contemporary sports physiology evaluates endurance using measurable parameters such as VO₂ max, recovery indices, and fatigue perception. An integrative approach combining Rasayana therapy with Yogic practices may provide a structured method for enhancing endurance and recovery in athletic populations. Objective To evaluate the comparative efficacy of a combined Rasayana (Ashwagandha) and Yogic regimen versus a regular diet control on aerobic capacity, recovery response, fatigue perception, and Vyayama Shakti among sportspersons aged 18–25 years. Methods A 16-week randomized comparative clinical study was conducted among 60 healthy sportspersons (n = 30 per group) in an Ayurvedic medical college setting. Participants were randomly allocated to either: Intervention group: Ashwagandha churna (5 g twice daily with milk) combined with a structured 45-minute daily Yogic regimen (Surya Namaskar, Nadi Shodhana Pranayama, Bhastrika Pranayama, and Shavasana), in addition to routine sports training. Control group: Routine sports training with regular diet and no Rasayana or Yogic intervention. Primary physiological parameters included VO₂ max, endurance time, and heart rate recovery. Psychological measures included perceived exertion (Borg scale) and fatigue score. Ayurvedic assessment was conducted using a graded Vyayama Shakti scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS and GraphPad Prism. Within-group comparisons were performed using paired t-tests, and between-group comparisons using unpaired t-tests and ANOVA. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Study Characteristics Study Type: Randomized comparative clinical study Sample Size: 60 sportspersons (30 per group) Age Range: 18–25 years Duration: 16 weeks Setting: Ayurvedic medical college sports training facility Ethical Status: Approved by Institutional Ethics Committee Assessment Parameters: Physiological: VO₂ max, endurance time, heart rate recovery Psychological: Perceived exertion, fatigue score Ayurvedic: Vyayama Shakti grading Statistical Tools: SPSS and GraphPad Prism; paired/unpaired t-tests and ANOVA Results At the end of 16 weeks, the Rasayana–Yoga group demonstrated statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) in VO₂ max, endurance time, and heart rate recovery compared with baseline and with the control group. Perceived exertion and fatigue scores showed significant reduction in the intervention group, whereas changes in the control group were minimal and not statistically significant. Improvement in Vyayama Shakti grading correlated positively with changes in VO₂ max, indicating alignment between Ayurvedic assessment and physiological markers of endurance. No serious adverse events were reported during the study period.