MITIGATION OF HIDDEN CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS AMONGST PRE-ADOLESCENT MALE ATHLETES OF KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL: A NOVEL COMBINATION OF YOGA & NUTRACEUTICALS

Gopi Krisna Mondal, Sugata Das, Dr. Anandi Bagchi, Prof. Sudip Sundar Das and Dr. Subrata Ghosh*

ABSTRACT

Background: The importance of developing good conditioning programs based on the specific physiological demands of each sport is considered a key factor to success. Objectives: To identify hidden health problems amongst male athletes who are involved in volleyball and basketball; to identify the primary physical shortfalls with respect to young volleyball and basketball players and to ratify and recommend the newly emerged training protocols which include specific Yoga exercises, for better performance of athletes. Material& Methods: This interventional study was conducted amongst 96 male athletes of volleyball and basketball players & control subjects (51 athletes & 45 control group). All general physical parameters, physiological and cardio-respiratory parameters were performed between athletes and non athletes groups by standardised procedure. 17 athletes with unnatural values of serum Lp(a) and Echo-cardiography, were undergoing intensive modified yoga training program and some nutraceuticals supplementation. Result: Selected athletes showed primarily high blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen level, lipoprotein (a) level, ejection fraction percentage and slope and lower hemoglobin level. After supplementation and yoga training program, all the mentioned parameter showed natural values than pre intervention. Conclusion: All athletes belonged to medium-low socioeconomic status. Improper food habits hampered their physiological homeostasis as well as agility. Use of nutraceuticals and proper modified yoga training procedure improved the physiological and cardio-respiratory parameters of the athletes.

Keywords: Athletes, Lipoprotein (a), nutraceuticals, yoga, training.