Effects of 6-weeks Bhastrika Pranayama Intervention on health-related components of physical fitness

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. The present study investigated the effects of 6-weeks bhastrika pranayama intervention (BPI) program on health-related components of physical fitness. Material and Methods. We used a quasi-experimental design with fifty-two healthy girls (Mean ± SD; age, 23.6346±1.1551 yrs; body height, 158.0961±3.8616 cm; body weight, 55.6826±3.4002 kg) from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India. The subjects were divided into two groups: Group-A: Bhastrika Pranayama Intervention (BPI); (n1=26) and Group-B: Control; (n2=26). The sample size (N=52) was calculated using the G*Power 3.1.9.7 software. A power of 0.80 (1-β err prob) and significance level (α) of 0.05. Subjects from both groups (pranayama and control) were assessed at baseline and right after 6-weeks. Group-A: (n1=26) subjected to BPI and Group-B: (n2=26) with no training. Results. As compared BPI with the control group, the BPI group had a positive effect on selected health-related components of physical fitness (maximal oxygen consumption - VO2 max 1.3%; flexibility 1.8%; muscle strength 0.2.%). The 6-weeks Bhastrika Pranayama intervention program had no effect on the BPI group with respect to the parameter muscular endurance. Conclusions. Daily practice of Bhastrika pranayama helps to keep lungs more efficient. Additional research is required to completely comprehend the consequences of this breathing exercise. Bhastrika pranayama is known for oxygen-based breathing exercise which helps to fill up the lungs with more oxygen. Bhastrika pranayama interventions with short as well as long duration in future research studies could be beneficial for healthy individuals with respect to health-related fitness components.