Ramamoorthy et al. SJIF Impact Factor 5.990 Volume 4, Issue 8, 2087-2094. Research Article ISSN 2277 7105 COMPARATIVE STUDY ON LUNG VOLUMES AND CAPACITIES BETWEEN YOGIC AND NON-YOGIC POPULATION Vimala Rani Swaminathan 1 and Srihari Ramamoorthy 1* 1 Department of Physiology, Madha Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai. 1* Department of Physiology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai. Article Received on 12 June 2015, Revised on 03 July 2015, Accepted on 24 July 2015 *Correspondence for Author Srihari Ramamoorthy Department of Physiology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai. ABSTRACT Yoga is a combination of art and science. Yoga was found to have many physiological effects especially on respiratory health. A Comparative study was done among 10 yogic and 10 non-yogic groups population to evaluate the effect of yoga on lung volumes and capacities. Yogic population was taught to practice pranayama techniques and asanas for acute period. Spirometer was used to record the volumes and capacities of lung. The study showed an significant increase in vital capacity, FEV 1, MVV among yogic population and Non-yogic population showed normal vital capacity, FEV 1 and maximum ventilator volume. Increase in lung volumes and capacities indicate that yoga improves the pulmonary capacity which can help in enhancement of ventilatory function. KEYWORDS: Yoga, pranayama, asanas, Spirometer, respiratory efficiency. INTRODUCTION Yoga, an ancient form of science which originated in India consists of the five-principles - proper relaxation, proper exercise (by means of asanas), proper breathing, proper diet, and meditation. Yoga is both a spiritual and physical practice integrating mind and body. Yogic breathing / pranayama consists of very slow, deep breaths with sustained breath hold after each inspiration and expiration. Techniques of pranayama practiced Nadishodhana Pranayama Surya Bhedi Pranayama www.wjpr.net Vol 4, Issue 08, 2015. 2087
Ujjayi Pranayama Shetali Pranayama Sheetkari Pranayama Bhramari Pranayama Breathing and chest wall expansion exercise, the treatment technique for chest physical therapy have been used to treat various forms of respiratory dysfunction, both acute and chronic abnormalities resulting from medical or surgical conditions, and also for health promotion. [1,2,3,4] Respiratory exercise training has been shown to improve respiratory capacity, airway resistance,exercise tolerance, and to reduce work of breathing. [3,4] Pranayama was found to improve respiratory capacity especially respiratory muscle strength and lung volume in Indian children. [5] Along with muscle strength pranayama was also found to improve muscle flexibility [6], increase in respiratory sensation [7], maximum expiratory pressure and flow rate. [8,9,10] Five positions of Hatha-Yoga has been reported to predominantly effect on prime mover and accessory respiratory muscles such as external and internal intercostal muscle, pectoral, latisimusdorsi, erector spinae, rectus abdominis, serratus anterior and diaphragm. [3,4] Performing Yoga stretching and balancing movement can improve muscle strength and flexibility of all these muscles. [11] Since Pranayama and asanas have proved to have beneficial and therapeutic effects, in normal and diseased states alike this study was proposed to determine effect of yoga on lung volume on capacities among yogic and non-yogic population using computerized spirometer. Methodology The study was initiated after obtaining ethical clearance from the Institutional Human ethical committee. Informed consent was obtained from the participants. 20 healthy participants, between the age group 18-25 yrs were included in the study. 10 yogic participants were selected from Government college of naturopathy and yogic science, chennai and 10 nonyogic participants were selected from Dr.A.L Mudaliar Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chennai. All participants selected were healthy and free of any diseases and drugs. www.wjpr.net Vol 4, Issue 08, 2015. 2088
The yogic group was taught to perform pranayama for 20minutes, 3 sessions/week regularly. The group was taught to perform the following pranayama techniques. Sheethali pranayama Hands placed on corresponding knees and gyana mudra assumed. Lips parted keeping the teeth together, Tip of the tongue holded against the lower teeth. Inhalation made through mouth with a hissing sound and continued till the lungs are filled. Then mouth is closed and exhalation done through the nostrils. Sheetkari pranayama Tongue brought forward to touch the teeth from inside. Lips are opened slightly and the upper teeth lifted for gap between upper and lower teeth for sucking air. Spine and head are kept straight. Air is inhaled in such a way that air passes all over the tongue. Air is taken as much as possible. Just when the inhalation is over, air is exhaled through the nostrils slowly and constantly. Just when exhalation is over, inhalation is performed in the same pattern. One inhalation and one exhalation considered as one round. Bhramari pranayama Technique begins with a comfortable pose such as Padmasana, ArdhaPadmasana or Vajrasana. Keeping the spine erect throughout with head straight and palms resting on knees mouth slightly opened so that jaw will be completely relaxed. Arms are raised with the elbows out and ears blocked by placing the tip of thumb over the ear without applying any pressure. Now the two middle fingers are placed over the closed eyes. The little fingers should be against the sides of nostrils. Now inhaled deeply filling the lungs with air and exhaled slowly through both nostrils keeping mouth closed. While exhaling a low humming sound should be made this should be continuous and as loud and clear as possible.the humming will cause vibrations that could be felt on the top of head. www.wjpr.net Vol 4, Issue 08, 2015. 2089
Fig-1.Yogic group performing pranayama The Yoga group also performed five yoga postures UttitaKummersana (cat position),ardhamatsyendrasana (sitting and twist the trunk), Vrikshasana (tree position), Yoga Mudra andushtrasana (camel position) for 20 minutes a day, one time a day, and 3 days a week regularly. After the yogic training the repiratory efficiency of both the groups was assessed using a computer based Spirometer. Spirometry is the most common pulmonary function tests (PFTs), used to measure lung functions, specifically the amount and/or speed of air that can be inhaled and exhaled. Spirometry is an important tool used for generating pneumotachographs, which are helpful in assessing conditions such as Asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and COPD. Yogic and non yogic subjects were asked to take normal breath and expire into Spirometer rapidly followed by deep inhalation and exhalation,then breathe hold for few seconds, continued by normal inspiration and expiration. Using this recording lung volumes and capacities are calculated. www.wjpr.net Vol 4, Issue 08, 2015. 2090
Fig.2- Recording of Lung function using a computerized spirometer Statistics All data were expressed as the mean ± SEM. Experiments with two groups were analyzed statistically using unpaired Student t- tests. RESULTS Table.1 - Increase in lung function between yogic and non-yogic population Normal Yoga percentage of increase 695 2128 32.66 634 2228 28.46 724 2138 33.86 744 2176 34.19 1498 2333 64.21 1522 2723 55.89 1120 2771 40.42 1302 2561 50.84 1328 2723 48.77 1400 2791 50.16 www.wjpr.net Vol 4, Issue 08, 2015. 2091
Chart.1 - Increase in lung function between yogic and non-yogic population Study conducted between Yogic and non-yogic group based on pulmonary function with the use of Spirometer indicates a significant increase in the vital capacity, FEV 1 and maximum ventilatory volume. DISCUSSION Respiratory system uses many muscles and other interlocking movements. Regular yogic practice can help in the improvement of total pulmonary function by increasing efficiency and performance of these muscles and movement. [10] Yogic breathing maneuvers inflate lung near to total lung capacity that help in release of lung surfactant and prostaglandins into alveolar spaces which increases lung compliance and decreases bronchial smooth muscle tone, respectively. [10,11] Yogic and Non-yogic subjects were asked to take normal breath and expire into Spirometer rapidly,followed by deep inhalation and exhalation, and then breath hold for few seconds,continued by normal inspiration and expiration.this is recorded by spirometer and the vital capacity is calculated. In Yoga practitioners there is a significant increase in vital capacity, FEV 1, MVV compared to Non-Yogic subjects. Appropriate yogic breathing maneuvers can improve pulmonary muscular strength and efficiency, which can ultimately help in the improvement of lung volumes and capacities. Yogic cleansing processes (shuddhikriyas) help in the removal of infective nasal secretions from respiratory tract thereby increase total lung capacities and volumes. These data are www.wjpr.net Vol 4, Issue 08, 2015. 2092
consistent with other studies that have found improvements in ventilatory function following a yoga program of longer duration. [8] By consistently performing a variety of asana,muscles of the thoracic cavity are constantly being recruited. This recruitment may lead to greater musculature and thereby result in improved FVC. [8] Significant increase in vital capacity,forced expiratory volume and Maximum ventilatory volume observed in the study is due to integrated interaction of various components of the respiratory system like respiratory muscles, chest wall, alveoli and airways mediated by increased lung compliance. [12] Performing various yogic stretching and yogic balancing acts could improve strength and flexibility of respiratory muscles. [11] Moreover yogic breathing maneuvers intend to change the breathing pattern from chest breathing (which involves intercostal muscles and other accessory muscles) to abdominal breathing pattern (which involves the diaphragm). CONCLUSION In our current study we found that Yogic practice even of acute duration increases lung efficiency. Thus it could be concluded from the study that, regular yogic practice results in improvement of vital capacity. REFERENCES 1. Brannon FJ, Foley MW, Starr JA, and Saul LM Additional components of pulmonaryrehabilitation: In Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation: Basic Theory, 1993; 8: 430-432. 2. Dean E and Ross J. Mobilization and exercise conditioning. In: Clinics in Physical Therapy:Pulmonary Management in Physical Therapy, edited by Zadai C. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1992; 18: 157-190. 3. Frownfelter D. Breathing exercise and retraining chest mobilization exercise. In: ChestPhysical Therapy and Pulmonary Rehabilitation: an Interdisciplinary Approach, second edition,edited by Frownfelter D. Chicago: Mosby-Yearbook, 1987; 14: 153-178. 4. Levenson C. Breathing Exercise. In: Clinics in Physical Therapy: Pulmonary Management inphysical Therapy, edited by Zadai C. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 1992; 17: 135-156. 5. Mandanmohan, Udupa K, Bhavanani AB, Vijayalakshmi P, and Surendiran A. Effect of slowand fast pranayamas on reaction time and cardio respiratory variables. Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 2005; 14: 313-318. www.wjpr.net Vol 4, Issue 08, 2015. 2093
6. Raub JA.Psychologic and physiologic effects of Hatha Yoga on musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary function: a literature review. Journal of Alternative Medicine, 2002; 19: 797-812. 7. Villien F, Yu M, Barthelemy P, and Jammes Y. Training to yoga respiration selectivelyincreases respiratory sensation in healthy man. Respiratory Physiology and Neurobiology, 2005; 16: 85-96. 8. Josh, L.N., V.D. Joshi & L.V. Gokhale. Effect of short term Pranayamas practice onbreathing rate and ventilatory functions of lung. Indian Journal of physiology and Pharmacology, 1992; 4:105-108. 9. Stanescu DC, Nemery B, Veriter C, and Marechal C. Pattern of breathing and ventilatorresponse to Carbondioxide in subjects practicing hatha-yoga. Journal of Applied Physiology, 1981; 17: 1625-1629. 10. Yadav RK and Das S. Effect of yogic practice on pulmonary functions in young females.indian Journal of Physiology and Phamacology, 2006; 20: 493-496. 11. Halvorson C. Stretching to breathe: Can yoga help your asthma?, 2002; 7: 27-29. 12. Forster HV and Pan LG. Contribution of acid-base changes to control of breathing during exercise. Journal of Applied Physiology, 1995; 21: 380-394. www.wjpr.net Vol 4, Issue 08, 2015. 2094