To evaluate the kinematic variations in Suryanamaskar (SN) using a 3D motion capture system.
Post ethical approval, an exploratory study was conducted on 10 healthy young trained mixed participants of mean age 19.20±3.08 years and BMI 20.84±3.63 kg/m2. Participants were tested in suitable body suits to promote unobstructed motions and placement of the markers. Chair SN was performed using a standard non-reflective plastic chair with side arms while wall SN was performed using a clear plexiglass frame. Kinematic analysis of traditional, chair, and wall SN was performed using a 12-camera Vicon system at a sampling frequency of 100Hz using 39 retro-reflective markers fixed on bony prominences. Data from two bilateral trials was processed using a plug-in model at 10 Hz with computation of the angles across all three planes of motion using Vicon Nexus obtaining 48 readings of every SN for every participant which were used for calculating mean and standard deviations.
Hip, knee, shoulder, and wrist joint angles were greater during traditional SN followed by chair, and lowest during wall SN. The hip and knee joints showed the highest flexion in Ashwasanchalanasana (Equestrian Pose) during traditional SN (137.2°; 126.0°), Chair (107.7°; 101.8°) and wall SN (73.9°; 72.9°). The ankle and elbow joints exhibited identical behaviour in all three types demonstrating a maximum of 35° dorsiflexion during Ashwasanchalanasana (Equestrian pose) and Parvatasana (Mountain Pose) and 113° flexion in pranamasana (Salutation pose). The shoulder and wrist joints demonstrated variations in the different SNs in all the planes.
Traditional Suryanamaskar (Sun-Salutations) demands the greatest joint motion. Both the chair and wall variants of Suryanamaskar provide substantial mobility of all peripheral joints. They can be used as intermediate forms of Suryanamaskar for capacity building until the traditional Suryanamaskar can be performed.
The performance of traditional Suryanamaskar can be a deterrent in elderly people and persons with musculoskeletal or neurological issues or beginners. Variations or Modifications of the conventional Suryanamaskar may help in their continued utilization without added end-range movements and put less stress on the joints thus making them tolerable and applicable in clinical conditions. This first-of-its-kind study offers a robust scientific three-dimensional kinematic evaluation of the range of motion of the extremities during three different variations of Suryanamaskar thus laying baseline values as a reference to future studies on Suryanamaskar research. This study would quantify the movements required to perform each variation and the demands placed on the joints. Thus, it would allow the variations to be prescribed to beginners or those who are unable to perform the conventional Suryanamaskar at all considering their physical activity and health issues.
wall Suryanamaskar
chair Suryanamaskar
