A team of scientists at the Bangalore-based Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has found a method to measure whether the yogic asanas are being performed in a correct manner or not. They have developed a new mathematical metrics to quantify the expertise in terms of stability and steadiness.
The metrics is based on sEMG or Surface electromyography (sEMG) signals. The sEMG signals are a measure of muscle activity which records and differentiates between the electric activity of groups of muscles at rest and during activity.
The procedure is performed using a single or an array of electrodes placed on the skin surface over the muscles to be tested. Recording can be made using a hand-held device, which is applied to the skin surface at different sites.
Electrical activity is assessed by computer analysis of the frequency spectrum, amplitude, or root mean square of the electrical action potential. In the IISC study, the data captured from instrument called 3-axis Accelerometers is being used in qualitative validation of the muscle activity results obtained from proposed sEMG analysis.
The study supported by Department of Science & Technology’s (DST) SATYAM programme was conducted in the Biomechanics Lab of the IISc.
Around 60 healthy participants between 21-60 years including male and female had participated. Before conducting the experiment, each subject was given clear knowledge about the asana to be performed and the orientation was verified before mounting the sensors.
The data was collected for approximately 110 seconds and subjects stayed in final position for 20 seconds with normal breathing and relaxed mind. Yogasanas such as Trikonasana, Vrikshasana, Veerabhadrasana-1, Veerabhadrasana-2, Veerabhadrasana-3, Parsvakonasana were tested using the method and the sEMGs of experts and novices tested.
Yoga asanas need to be performed with near perfection in order to derive maximum benefits. The method proposed and tested in this project helps assess the correctness of performance.
This paves way for making appropriate corrections, thus enabling practitioners to derive maximum benefit from the asanas. The method helps distinguish between an expert and a novice in the field of yoga, according to an official from the DST.
With subsequent research and analysis, this method can be used for generating a quantitative measure of the ‘expertise’ of any subject being monitored, which would be essential considering the increasing popularity of yoga around the world.
The study will guide the performer of yoga to do it with near perfection and also will elucidate the kinds of muscles that the performer can target, said the official.