Effect of Yogic exercise on static Spirometery values in normal healthy individuals

Abstract

Yogic practices can be a very good exercise for maintaining proper health and has a profound effect on the lung functions of an individual. They are also used as psycho-physiological stimuli to increase the physiological functionsand human performance.  Materials & Methods:  The present study was conducted on 60 male  medical  students  in  first yearM.B.B.S, who came  voluntarily as subjects for the  project with written  consent. Their age ranged between 18-24 years. All the participants were given training  for  15  days  by  a  certified  yoga  teacher  and  were  allowed  to  practice  pranayama  and suryanamaskar  exercise  for  one  hour  every day  in  the  evening  for  a  duration  of  six  months.  Five types of pranayama  namely; Bhastrika  pranayama,  Anulomavilom  pranayama,  Bhramari  pranayama  and  Pranava  pranayama  were  chosen  for  this  study. Various static spirometry tests were done to measure the Tidal volume (TV), Slow vital capacity (SVC), Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), Expiratory reserve volume (ERV). Pulmonary  function  test  was  performed  in  all  the  participants  using  computerized pulmonary  testing  machine  (Helios-  401,  RMS).Results:The  obtained  data  was  analyzed  for  statistical  significance  using  SPSS software of 22.0 version followed by students t test and p<0.005 was considered the level of significance. There was significant increase in all these variables(p<0.001) in the study group after six months of yoga. Conclusion: From this study we concluded that, the practice of yoga can be advocated to improve respiratory efficiency for healthy individuals as well as an alternative therapy or as adjunct to conventional therapy in respiratory diseases and improve the anesthetic fitness for cardiothoracic surgery.