Effect of Selected Yogic Practices on Forced Vital Capacity and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate among Healthy Young Adults

Maintaining optimal respiratory function is essential for physical well-being, particularly among young adults who may be vulnerable to the effects of sedentary lifestyles and environmental stressors.Yogic practices, encompassing specific postures (asanas) and breathing techniques (pranayama), have been traditionally employed to improve respiratory efficiency and autonomic balance.To assess the effect of selected yogic practices on Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) in healthy young adults aged 18-25 years.A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 healthy young adults, who were randomly assigned into two groups: Experimental Group (n=30) and Control Group (n=30).The Experimental Group underwent a structured yoga intervention for 8 weeks, including selected asanas and pranayama techniques, for 45 minutes per day, 5 days per week.The Control Group followed their usual daily activities without any yogic intervention.Baseline and post-intervention assessments of FVC and PEFR were conducted using a standardized spirometer.Post-intervention analysis revealed a statistically significant improvement (p<0.01) in both FVC and PEFR in the Experimental Group compared to baseline and the Control Group.The Control Group showed no significant changes in either parameter.The observed enhancement in respiratory parameters suggests improved pulmonary elasticity, diaphragmatic efficiency, and neural regulation through consistent yogic practice.An 6-week program of selected yogic practices led to significant improvements in Forced Vital Capacity and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate among healthy young adults.These findings support the integration of yoga into preventive healthcare strategies for improving respiratory function in the youth population.