Dept. of Physiotherapy, Padmashree Dr. D. Y. Patil University, Navi Mumbai, 6th Floor, Medical College Building, Sector 5, Nerul, Navi Mumbai
Online published on 5 July, 2014.
Pranayama (yogic Breathing) helps in breath control. It is easy to perform exercise having positive influence on cardiopulmonary factors. Pranayama is a known practice for its positive benefits on the respiratory parameters and functional capacity. Diaphragm mobility is a known tool for predicting exercise tolerance. However, the effect of Pranayamic practices on the diaphragm is not yet documented, thus explaining the purpose of this study.
To assess the effect of Pranayama on diaphragmatic excursion
30 healthy females between the age group of 18–24 years practiced Pranayama for eight weeks. Diaphragmatic excursion was assessed as a measure of respiratory effort on a portable ultrasound unit.
The Pretest & post test values of diaphragmatic excursion were 33.81 + 7.85 & 38.01 + 6.05 respectively, having "t" value -4.07 & p 0.000 which was highly significant
Pranayama showed significant improvement in the diaphragmatic excursion assessed on real time ultrasound unit.
Yogic Breathing, Pranayama, Diaphragmatic Excursion, Real Time Ultrasound
