Evaluation of Effect of Yoga on Pulmonary Functions and Hand Grip Strength in College Students

Yoga is an ancient Indian philosophical discipline designed to bring balance and health and to increase longevity. To assess the beneficial effect of yoga to cope up with stress and to improve the overall health and performance of students, the present study has been carried out. The study design was a cohort study. The study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Government Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai. 52 students in the age group of 17-22yrs were given yoga training for 4 weeks. 52 age and gender matched students formed the control group. Breath Holding Time (BHT), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Peak Expiratory Flow rate (PEFR) and Hand Grip Strength (HGS) were done for both study and control groups at baseline and at the end of 4 weeks. Statistical analysis was done using the paired student's “t” test. There was statistically significant improvement of Breath Holding Time (BHT), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and Hand Grip Strength (HGS) in the study group (group I) following 4 weeks of yoga practice (p < 0.01) while there was no significant change in these parameters in the control group (group II). The study concludes that regular yoga practice can improve the pulmonary functions as well as skeletal muscle strength of young individuals and this positive change could persist into their adulthood.