The Swedish Journal of Scientific Research ISSN: 2001-9211.Vol. 2. Issue 7. July. 2015
EFFECT OF 4-WEEKS OF SURYA NADI PRANAYAMA (RIGHT NOSTRIL BERATING) ON RESPIRATORY PARAMETERS Baljinder Singh Bal Department of Physical Education (T), Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India bal_baljindersingh@yahoo.co.in
Abstract Aim: This study analyses the effects of surya nadi pranayama (right nostril berating) on respiratory parameters. Methods: Thirty, university level girls of Department of Physical Education (T), Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar between the age group of 21-26 years (Mean ± SD: age 22.37 ± 1.54 yrs, height 5.47 ± 0.18 ft, body mass 60.22 ± 3.56 kg) volunteered to participate in the study. The subjects from Group-A: Experimental were subjected to a 4-weeks training of surya nadi pranayama. Student t test for paired samples was utilized to compare the means of the pre-test and the post-test. Results: Significant differences were found in Tidal Volume (VT), Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) and Inspiratory Capacity (IC) of university level girls and insignificant differences were noted in Vital Capacity (VC) and Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV). Conclusion: The result further indicates that no significant changes over that 4- week period were noted in the control group. Key words: Surya Nadi Pranayama, Tidal Volume (Vt), Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV), Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV), Vital Capacity (VC) And Inspiratory Capacity (IC)
1.
INTRODUCTION
The great Indian seer Patanjali (200 BC) has compiled and codified the knowledge regarding yoga and defined pranayama as “Regulation of the incoming and outgoing flow of breath with retention”. As a deep breathing technique, pranayama reduces dead space ventilation and decreases work of breathing. It also refreshes air throughout the lungs, in contrast with shallow breathing that refreshes air only at the base of the lungs [1]. Breath is a dynamic bridge between the body and mind [1]. Breathing is not only an instinctive reflex to satisfy the need of the body for oxygen but it has been considered that consciously controlled breathing can be used as a technique for enhancing mental and physical powers [2]. Pranayama produce different physiological responses in healthy young volunteers [3, 4]. Pranayama is a method of breathing and chest expansion exercise which has been reported to improve cardio respiratory function in health and disease. The practice of pranayama has been known to modulate cardiac autonomic status with an improvement in Cardio respiratory functions [5]. The practice of breathing exercise increases parasympathetic activity and decreases sympathetic activity, improves cardiorespiratory functions by affecting oxygen consumption, metabolism and skin resistance [6, 7]. Breathing exercises have been recommended in physiotherapy to improve respiratory and bowel function, in occupational therapy to facilitate spiritual emergence. It has been assumed single nostril breathing can be used to therapeutically influence autonomic function and may significantly affect other hemisphere- specific functions [8]. It is thought that practicing yoga over a period of time leads to a decrease in respiratory rate, muscular relaxation along with calming of the mind, which might be interpreted at least partly as a decreased state of arousal [9, 10]. But various studies show that respiratory parameters improve after yoga & pranayama. A significant increase in the vital capacity, tidal volume increase in expiratory and inspiratory pressures and breath holding time [11, 12]. 2.
METHODS
2.1 Subjects Thirty, university level girls of Department of Physical Education (T), Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar between the age group of 21-26 years (Mean ± SD: age 22.37 ± 1.54 yrs, height 5.47 ± 0.18 ft, body mass 60.22 ± 3.56 kg) volunteered to participate in the study. The subjects were purposively assigned into two groups: •
Group-A: Experimental (n1=15)
•
Group-B: Control (n2=15)
All the subjects were informed about the objective and protocol of the study. Distribution and demographics of subjects are brought forth in table-1.
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