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The Swedish Journal of Scientific Research ISSN: 2001-9211.Vol.
2. Issue 7. July. 2015
32 www.sjsr.se
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 [email protected]
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.
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)
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The Swedish Journal of Scientific Research ISSN: 2001-9211.Vol.
2. Issue 7. July. 2015
33 www.sjsr.se
Table1. Distribution and Demographics of Subjects
Sample Size
(N=30)
Variables Total
(N=30)
Experimental group
(n1=15)
Control group
(n2=15)
Age 22.371.54 21.001.69 22.731.33
Body Height 5.470.18 5.5270.21 5.420.15
Body Mass 60.223.56 60.343.37 60.103.84
2.2 Procedures
This study is designed as a retrospective cross-sectional study.
The subjects from Group-A: Experimental were subjected to a 4-weeks
training of surya nadi pranayama. This lasted 4 weeks and consisted
of daily sessions. The following respiratory parameters were
measured 3 times with the use of a wet spirometer, the respective
average values being used in the analysis:
Figure1. Subjects Performing Tidal volume (VT)
Figure 2. Subjects Performing Expiratory Reserve Volume
(ERV)
Figure 3. Subjects Performing Inspiratory Reserve Volume
(IRV)
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The Swedish Journal of Scientific Research ISSN: 2001-9211.Vol.
2. Issue 7. July. 2015
34 www.sjsr.se
Figure 4. Subjects Performing Vital capacity (VC)
Figure 5. Subjects Performing Inspiratory capacity (IC)
Figure 6. Study Design
Table 2. Experimental Treatment
4-Weeks Surya Nadi Pranayama Training Programme
Weeks Schedule Time Duration 1st Week
Preliminary Yogic Exercises 5 Minute
20 Minute
Practice of Surya Nadi pranayama (9 Rounds X 1 Set)
10 Minute
Relaxation Posture 5 Minute 2nd Week
Preliminary Yogic Exercises 5 Minute
25 Minute Practice of Surya Nadi pranayama (9 Rounds X 2
Set)
15 Minute
Relaxation Posture 5 Minute 3rd Week
Preliminary Yogic Exercises 5 Minute
30 Minute Practice of Surya Nadi pranayama (9 Rounds X 3
Set)
20 Minute
Relaxation Posture 5 Minute 4rd Week
Preliminary Yogic Exercises 5 Minute
35 Minute Practice of Surya Nadi pranayama (9 Rounds X 4
Set)
25 Minute
Relaxation Posture 5 Minute
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The Swedish Journal of Scientific Research ISSN: 2001-9211.Vol.
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Figure 7. Subjects Performing Surya Nadi Pranayama
3. STATISTICAL ANALYSES
Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical
Package for the Social Sciences for Windows version 16.0 software
(SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Data is expressed as the mean SD. Student
t test for paired samples was utilized to compare the means of the
pre-test and the post-test. The level of significance was set at
0.05.
3. RESULTS
The results of Respiratory Parameters (i.e., Tidal Volume (VT),
Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV), Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV),
Vital Capacity (VC) and Inspiratory Capacity (IC) of university
level girls are brought forth in table-3-7.
Table 3. Descriptive Statistics (Mean & Standard Deviation)
and Paired Sample t-test of Tidal Volume (VT) of University
Level Girls
Tidal Volume (VT)
Group Number Mean Standard Deviation
Standard Error
of the Mean
t-
value
p-
value
Experiment (Pre-test)
Experimental (Post-test)
15
15
354.93
362.27
11.22
13.62
2.90
3.52
4.9912* 0.0002
Control (Pre-test) 15 343.73 10.94 2.83 1.7235 0.1068
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Control (Post-test) 15 346.27 14.11 3.64
Tidal Volume (VT)
The results of Respiratory Parameters in group (Experimental)
and group (Control) are shown in Table-3. The Mean and Standard
Deviation values of Tidal Volume (VT) of pre-test and post-test of
experimental group was 354.93 11.22 and 362.27 13.62 respectively.
However, the Mean and Standard Deviation values of Tidal Volume
(VT) of pre-test and post-test of control group were 343.73 10.94
and 346.27 14.11. The t-value in case of experimental group was
4.9912* and for control group it was 1.7235. Significant
between-group differences were noted in Tidal Volume (VT) since the
calculated value of (t=4.9912*) is greater than tabulated value of
t .05 (14) = 2.14 for the selected degree of freedom and level of
significance.
Figure 8. Descriptive Statistics (Mean & Standard Deviation)
and Standard Error of the Mean of Tidal Volume (VT) of (a)
Experimental (Pre & Post) and (b) Control (Pre & Post)
group of University Level Girls
Table 4. Descriptive Statistics (Mean & Standard Deviation)
and Paired Sample t-test of Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) of
University Level Girls
Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)
Group Number Mean Standard Deviation
Standard Error
of the Mean
t-
value
p-
value
Experiment (Pre-test)
Experimental (Post-test)
15
15
725.93
728.47
15.61
13.62
4.03
3.52
1.8548 0.0848
Control (Pre-test)
Control (Post-test)
15
15
724.73
725.07
14.22
15.81
3.67
4.08
0.3529 0.7294
Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)
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The Mean and Standard Deviation values of Expiratory Reserve
Volume (ERV) of pre-test and post-test of experimental group was
725.93 15.61 and 728.47 13.62 respectively. However, the Mean and
Standard Deviation values of Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) of
pre-test and post-test of control group were 724.73 14.22 and
725.07 15.81. The t-value in case of experimental group was 1.8548
and for control group it was 0.3529. Insignificant between-group
differences were noted in Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) since the
calculated value of (t=1.8548 is less than tabulated value of t.05
(14) = 2.14 for the selected degree of freedom and level of
significance.
Figure 9. Descriptive Statistics (Mean & Standard Deviation)
and Standard Error of the Mean of Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)
of (a) Experimental (Pre & Post) and (b) Control (Pre &
Post) group of University Level Girls
Table 5. Descriptive Statistics (Mean & Standard Deviation)
and Paired Sample t-test of Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) of
University Level Girls
Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)
Group Number Mean Standard Deviation
Standard Error
of the Mean
t-
value
p-
value
Experiment (Pre-test)
Experimental (Post-test)
15
15
2269.07
2273.00
75.03
78.54
19.37
20.28
2.0856* 0.0558
Control (Pre-test)
Control (Post-test)
15
15
2246.07
2247.93
80.61
83.59
20.81
21.58
0.7797 0.4486
Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)
The Mean and Standard Deviation values of Inspiratory Reserve
Volume (IRV) of pre-test and post-test of experimental group was
2269.07 75.03 and 2273.00 78.54 respectively. However, the Mean and
Standard Deviation values of Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) of
pre-test and post-test of control group were 2246.07 80.61 and
2247.93 83.59. The t-value in case of experimental group
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The Swedish Journal of Scientific Research ISSN: 2001-9211.Vol.
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was 2.0856 and for control group it was 0.7797. Insignificant
between-group differences were noted in Inspiratory Reserve Volume
(IRV) since the calculated value of (t=2.0856) is less than
tabulated value of t.05 (14) = 2.14 for the selected degree of
freedom and level of significance.
Figure 10. Descriptive Statistics (Mean & Standard
Deviation) and Standard Error of the Mean of Inspiratory Reserve
Volume (IRV) of (a) Experimental (Pre & Post) and (b) Control
(Pre & Post) group of University Level Girls
Table 6. Descriptive Statistics (Mean & Standard Deviation)
and Paired Sample t-test of Vital Capacity (VC) of University Level
Girls
Vital Capacity (VC)
Group Number Mean Standard Deviation
Standard Error
of the Mean
t-
value
p-
value
Experiment (Pre-test)
Experimental (Post-test)
15
15
3349.93
3380.67
80.53
86.83
20.79
22.42
1.5995 0.1320
Control (Pre-test)
Control (Post-test)
15
15
3314.53
3319.27
79.54
83.14
20.54
21.47
1.4293 0.1748
Vital Capacity (VC)
The Mean and Standard Deviation values of Vital Capacity (VC) of
pre-test and post-test of experimental group was 3349.93 80.53 and
3380.67 86.83 respectively. However, the Mean and Standard
Deviation values of Vital Capacity (VC) of pre-test and post-test
of control group were 3314.53 79.54 and 3319.27 83.14. The t-value
in case of experimental group was 1.5995 and for control group it
was 1.4293. Insignificant between-group differences were noted in
Vital Capacity (VC) since the calculated value of (t=1.5995) is
less than tabulated value of t.05 (14) = 2.14 for the selected
degree of freedom and level of significance.
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The Swedish Journal of Scientific Research ISSN: 2001-9211.Vol.
2. Issue 7. July. 2015
39 www.sjsr.se
Figure 11. Descriptive Statistics (Mean & Standard
Deviation) and Standard Error of the Mean of Vital Capacity (VC) of
(a) Experimental (Pre & Post) and (b) Control (Pre & Post)
group of University Level Girls
Table 7. Descriptive Statistics (Mean & Standard Deviation)
and Paired Sample t-test of Inspiratory Capacity (IC) of University
Level Girls
Inspiratory Capacity (IC)
Group Number Mean Standard Deviation
Standard Error
of the Mean
t-
value
p-
value
Experiment (Pre-test)
Experimental (Post-test)
15
15
3704.87
3745.27
81.85
90.38
21.13
23.34
2.1663* 0.0480
Control (Pre-test)
Control (Post-test)
15
15
3658.27
3665.53
77.59
82.67
20.03
21.34
1.6719 0.1167
Inspiratory Capacity (IC)
The Mean and Standard Deviation value of Inspiratory Capacity
(IC) of pre-test and post-test of experimental group was 3704.87
81.85 and 3745.27 90.38 respectively. However, the Mean and
Standard Deviation values of Inspiratory Capacity (IC) of pre-test
and post-test of control group were 3658.27 77.59 and 3665.53
82.67. The t-value in case of experimental group was 2.1663* and
for control group it was 1.6719. Significant between-group
differences were noted in Inspiratory Capacity (IC) since the
calculated value of (t=2.1663*) is greater than tabulated value of
t.05 (14) =2.14 for the selected degree of freedom and level of
significance.
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The Swedish Journal of Scientific Research ISSN: 2001-9211.Vol.
2. Issue 7. July. 2015
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Figure 12. Descriptive Statistics (Mean & Standard
Deviation) and Standard Error of the Mean of Inspiratory Capacity
(IC) of (a) Experimental (Pre & Post) and (b) Control (Pre
& Post) group of University Level Girls
4. CONCLUSION
Considering that research results clearly show that the
significant differences were noted in Tidal Volume (VT),
Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV), and Inspiratory Capacity (IC) in
the experimental group subjected to 4- week training of surya nadi
pranayama and insignificant differences were noted in Vital
Capacity (VC) and Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) of university
level girls.However, no significant changes over that 4- week
period were noted in the control group.
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