World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Ramamoorthy et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

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 Swaminathan1 and Srihari Ramamoorthy1*

1
Department of Physiology, Madha Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai.
1*
Department of Physiology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute,
Chennai.

ABSTRACT
Article Received on
12 June 2015, Yoga is a combination of art and science. Yoga was found to have

Revised on 03 July 2015, many physiological effects especially on respiratory health. A

Accepted on 24 July 2015
Comparative study was done among 10 yogic and 10 non-yogic groups
population to evaluate the effect of yoga on lung volumes and

*Correspondence for capacities. Yogic population was taught to practice pranayama

Author
Srihari Ramamoorthy
Department of
Physiology, Sri
Ramachandra Medical
College and Research
Institute, Chennai.
KEYWORDS: Yoga, pranayama, asanas, Spirometer, respiratory efficiency.
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, FEV1, MVV among yogic population and
Non-yogic population showed normal vital capacity, FEV1 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.

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

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Ramamoorthy et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

 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 non-
yogic 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.

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Ramamoorthy et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

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.

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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.

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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
percentage of
Normal Yoga
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

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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, FEV1and 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, FEV1, 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

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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.

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