Publication:

A comparison of lung function in pranayama trained and untrained medical students

Background Pranayama is a form of breathing exercise. It is a very useful in reducing the weight and improving the respiratory function. The study was designed to assess the effect of pranayama on pulmonary Function among adult male students.

Methods The control and the study groups each consisted of 50 number of male MBBS students aged between 16 to 22 years, studying at Madras Medical College, were recruited for the present study. The study group were taught pranayama and allowed to practice it daily twice in morning and evening for 15 minutes for 10 weeks under supervision. Parameters like weight, BMI, chest expansion, respiratory rate and spirometric parameters like FVC, FEV1 and PEFR were recorded before and after the study.

Results A significant increase in chest expansion, FVC, FEV1 and PEFR with p value <0.05were recorded in study group in comparison with control group.

Conclusions Pranayama improves the lung function among medical students.