Effect of Pranayama on respiratory endurance in young adults

Background: Pranayama is an integral part of Yoga with proven health benefits. Pranayama involves controlled breathing exercises and isometric contraction of respiratory muscles which have a major role in strengthening the respiratory muscles and improving respiratory endurance. Aims and Objectives: The present study was undertaken to find out whether the practice of Pranayama regularly for a significant duration increases respiratory endurance. Materials and Methods: Maximum respiratory pressures (maximum expiratory pressure [MEP] and maximum inspiratory pressure [MIP]), breath holding time after expiration (BHTe) and after inspiration (breath holding time after inspiration [BHTi]) were recorded and 40 mmHg test was performed in 53 subjects before start of study and after 12 weeks of Pranayama practice. The descriptive statistics were used, i.e. mean and standard deviation for describing the parameters. Paired t-test was used to compare the MEP, MIP, BHTe, BHTi, and 40 mmHg test results before and after study. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There was a significant increase in MEP and MIP by 37% and 26%, respectively (Z = 28.19, P < 0.001 for MEP and Z = 19.06, P < 0.001 for MIP). BHTe and BHTi also showed statistically significant increase by 38% and 46%, respectively (Z = 32.24, P < 0.001 for BHTe and Z = 32.33, P < 0.001 for BHTi). 40 mmHg test showed a 50% increase after 12 weeks training. Conclusion: The current study indicates that practice of Pranayama regularly increases the strength of respiratory muscles and improves respiratory endurance.