COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PULMONARY FUNCTIONS AND BREATH HOLDING TIME IN NADHISUDDI AND SAVITRI PRANAYAMA PRACTITIONERS

Abstract

Background: Human being born today also have same physical equipment as the men in prehistoric ancestors, but vast changes have occurred in the environment created by man. Therefore for proper functioning of our body even in the present polluted environment a portion of our time should be spent in practice of yoga. Hence present study was under taken to know the beneficial effect of different types of pranayama on pulmonary functions and breath holding time. Methods: Test groups (group I and II) consisted of 72 student volunteers of Rama Krishna institute of moral and spiritual education, Mysore of aged between 18 to 28 years. They practiced Nadhisuddi and Savitri pranayama for 30 minutes daily for 16 weeks. Age and sex matched 36 students of JSS Medical College were included in control group. Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) and breath holding time (BHT) was determined after 16 weeks of practice using computerised spirometer and mercury manometer. Appropriate statistical test were applied and results were analysed. Results: Both test groups showed significant increase in all parameters measured compared to control group. But there was no change in values of any parameters between the two test groups. Conclusion: PFT and BHT increases with either practice of any one type of pranayama. During performance of pranayamic breathing exercise strengthening and control over respiratory muscles are obtained.