Background: Obese people are at increased risk of respiratory symptoms, the presence of adipose tissue around the ribcage and abdomen and in the visceral cavity loads the chest wall and reduce functional residual capacity. The reduction in FRC and in expiratory reserve volume is detectable, even at modest increase in weight.
Objective: To compare the effects of breathing exercises and pranayama on expiratory capacity in obese women by using peak flow meter.
Methodology: This was a comparative interventional study. 60 obese females with BMI more than 25kg/m2 and between the age of 35-45 were selected. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups Group A and Group B. Group A were given pranayama and Group B were given conventional breathing exercise, twice a day, three sessions per week for 4 weeks. Pre and post Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) values were taken by using peak flow meter. Data was collected and statistically analysed by unpaired t-test.
Result: There was significant difference between PEFR values of pranayama and breathing exercise (p value: <0.0001). Comparing pranayama and breathing exercise PEFR reading shows pranayama is more effective than breathing exercise.
Conclusion: Pranayama is more effective than breathing exercise to increase expiratory capacity in obese women.
Impact Factor
2022: 6.012
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