Effects Of Yoga And Physical Exercise On Cardio-Respiratory Parameters

Background: Yoga includes combination of postural exercise (Asanas),Voluntary breathing exercise (pranayam) & relaxation techniques. The comparative study about effects of regular practice of yoga & physical exercise on cardio-respiratory functions and respiratory pressures (MIP,MEP) is very important to better understand it's effect on health. Method: 200 healthy volunteers (146M-54F) from age group (17 - 26)years were included in the study.They were divided in to two groups. Gr A Yoga group(n=100),Gr B Physical exercise group(n=100). Yoga group practiced some yoga exercises including Asanas,Pranayam & relaxation postures daily one hour for 3 months.While Physical exercise group practiced slow walk,calisthenic exercise & stretching exercises daily 1 hour for 3 months. Following parameters were recorded at start & end of the study. Resting cardiovascular parameters including HR,BP,PP,MAP,RPP & DoP were recorded. Pulmonary parameters (FVC,FEV1,FEV1/FVC,PEFR,MVV) were recorded. Apart from this MIP,MEP & 40mmhg endurance test were also recorded .Result: Yoga group shows significant reduction in Heart rate (p<.01),SBP & DBP (p<.05), MAP(p<.01),while exercise group shows only decreasing trend. FVC & FEV1 inreased significantly after yoga training. FEV1/FVC, PEFR & FEF25-75% shows increasing trend in both the groups,but only exercise group shows significantly raised PEFR & FEF25-75%. MVV was significantly improved in yoga group. MIP,MEP were significantly increased after yoga training. Timing of Respiratory Endurance test was also significantly raised(p<.05) in yoga group. Conclusion: 3 moths Yoga training produces a significant improvement in respiratory pressures (MIP,MEP), spirometric values (Choudhary R et al NJIRM 2013; 4(3) : 50-55)