Final answer:
The experimental group is the individuals practicing yoga and meditative breathing, and the control group is those reading or watching TV. The independent variable is the activity, and the dependent variable is the oxygen consumption (VO₂) measured by a respirometer. Respiratory functions are regulated by the brain and are related to this study's focus on oxygen efficiency and metabolism.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the research question "Does practicing yoga and/or meditative breathing exercises decrease oxygen consumption?", the experimental group consists of the 45 individuals performing yoga and/or meditative breathing exercises. The control group consists of the 42 individuals reading a book or watching television. The independent variable is the activity the participants are performing (yoga/meditative breathing vs. reading/watching television), and the dependent variable is the oxygen consumption measured by VO₂ with a respirometer.
Respiratory functions such as ventilation, the respiratory rate, and depth of breathing are regulated by the brain, primarily the medulla oblongata and the pons, which respond to systemic stimuli in a dose-response relationship. As such, yoga and meditation might influence these factors by increasing the efficiency of breathing. However, it is also crucial to monitor not only oxygen consumption but also the respiratory quotient (RQ), which reflects the balance of CO₂ production to O₂ usage and can differ based on metabolic fuel sources.