Subjects and Training:
40 student volunteers of
either gender studying in 8th standard at Government Higher Secondary
School, Indira Nagar, Pondicherry were motivated and recruited for the
present study. They had no previous exposure to yoga training and none of
the subjects had a history of substance abuse. Respiratory and
cardiovascular diseases were ruled out by their history and clinical
examination. Their age was 12 to 15 (13.21 ± 0.10, SEM) years, weight 20
to 57 (34.97 ± 1.24, SEM) kilograms, height 1.3 to 1.66 (1.48 ± 0.01,
SEM) meters and body mass index (BMI) 8.33 to 23.30 (15.90 ± 0.44, SEM)
units. After briefing about the study protocol, informed consent was
obtained from them as well as their parents. The subjects were divided
randomly into two groups of 20 each. Group
I (yoga group) : Group I subjects were taught the following asans and
pranayams: talasan, utkatasan, trikonasan, ardhamatsyendrasan, bakasan,
pavanmuktasan, navasan, noukasan, matsyasan, pashchimottanasan, halasan,
bhujangasan, shalabhasan, sarvangasan, shavasan, mukh-bhastrika, mahat
yoga pranayam, nadi shuddhi and savitri pranayam. Each pose was held for
30 seconds and a short period of rest was given between the poses. Each
pranayam was performed nine times. Shavasan was performed at the end for
ten minutes. Detailed description of these techniques is given in standard
texts on yoga (13, 14). The
subjects underwent yoga training over a period of 2 weeks. After the
training period, 45 minute practice sessions were held regularly, Monday
through Saturday, for a total duration of 6 months under our direct
supervision. Group II
(control group) : Group II subjects did not receive any yoga training.
They were asked to study in a classroom while Group I subjects were
undergoing yoga training. Parameters:
: 2-3 days prior to pre-training recordings, the subjects were
familiarized with the laboratory environment and their anthropometric
measurements were taken. They were given instructions about the
experimental procedures and practice trials were administered until we
were satisfied that the subjects performed the test as required of them.
Pre and post training measurements were taken about 2 hours after a light
breakfast. Handgrip
strength and endurance: HGS (mm Hg) was measured with the dominant hand
gripping an inflated cuff of a mercury manometer while the subject was
sitting comfortably in a chair. The arm was extended in front at the
shoulder level and kept horizontal to the ground. For determining HGE, the
subject was asked to maintain 1/3rd of HGS in a sustained squeeze for as
long as possible and the time (sec) was noted. In all our subjects, right
hand was dominant hand. Dash and Telles (8) have reported that hand grip
strength of right hand is greater than that of left hand. Respiratory
pressures : MEP was determined by asking the subject to blow against
mercury column of a manometer after taking in a full breath. The maximum
level at which the mercury column could be maintained for about 3 sec was
noted. MIP was determined by asking the subject to perform maximum
inspiratory effort against the mercury column after breathing out fully.
MIP that could be maintained for about 3 sec was noted. It was ensured
that the subjects did not use oral muscles to develop pressure or tongue
to block the tubing. Spirometry
: FEV, FEV1 and PEFR were measured by computerized spirometer (Spirocheck,
Morgan, England). The subject was instructed to take maximum inspiration
and blow into the mouthpiece as rapidly, forcefully and completely as
possible. It was ensured that a tight seal was maintained between the lips
and the mouthpiece of the spirometer. The
above mentioned parameters were measured before and after the 6 months
study period in both the groups. For each parameter, three trials at three
minute intervals were given and highest of the three values was used for
statistical analysis. Statistical analysis:
The
data was analyzed using Student’s paired ‘t’ test to compare the pre
and post training values of both the groups. P value of less than 0.05 was
accepted as indicating significant difference between the compared values. |