Role of Short Term Yoga on Pulmonary Functions of Young and Middle Aged Healthy Individuals

Background and Objective: Yoga attracts people primarily as an easy way to good health. Yogic techniques are known to improve one overall performance and working capacity. So, our study aimed to evaluate the pulmonary functions in healthy individuals aged 20 to 65 years before and after short duration yoga training and to evaluate the differential effects between young and middle aged individuals. Methods and Material: A comparative prospective study involving 52 healthy individuals aged 20 to 65 years. The study group was divided into two according to age Group I (age=20-40 yrs, young adults) and Group II (age=40-65 yrs, middle aged). Pulmonary function parameters like Breath Holding Time, 40 mmHg Endurance Test, Vital Capacity, FEV1% and PEFR were recorded before and after two weeks yoga training. The mean values of parameters were compared within and between groups before and after yoga training. Results: We found statistically significant higher values of 40 mmHg Endurance Test and PEFR in Group I compared to Group II before yoga training. Also found statistically significant improvements of the pulmonary function parameters in Group I as well as Group II after short term yoga training but the effects were more prominent in Group I. There is statistically significant higher values of PEFR in Group I compared to Group II after yoga training. Conclusion: This study showed beneficial effects of short term yoga on pulmonary function parameters in healthy subjects aged 20 to 65 years, particularly in young adults.