Abstract

Background: Yoga is reported to improve psychophysiological well-being through a careful combination of asanas (body posture exercises), pranayamas (voluntary breathing exercises), and dhyana (meditations).

Aims and Objectives: The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of yoga on respiratory efficiency parameters of young adults.

Materials and Methods: Using simple random sampling, a total of 300 volunteers were divided into two groups: Yoga group (female = 72 and male = 78) and control group (female = 64 and male = 86). Yoga group was subjected to yoga training for 4 weeks. Forced expiratory volume in 1st s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC (%), peak expiratory flow rate, forced expiratory flow during middle 50% (FEF25–75%), FEF during 200–1200 ml of expiration (FEF200–1200 ml), and maximum voluntary ventilation were measured in both the groups using computerized spirometer, both before and after intervention.

Results: All parameters were found to be increased following yoga. No significant change in these parameters was noted in the control group.

Conclusion: Yoga improves respiratory efficiency in healthy individuals and can be included as an essential part of healthy lifestyle. It can be advocated as an adjunctive or alternative to conventional therapy for respiratory diseases.

Key words: Yoga; Respiratory Function Tests; Vital Capacity; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; Young Adult