EFFECT OF BREATHING EXERCISES ON PEAK EXPIRATORY FLOW RATE IN COLLEGE STUDENTS: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of breathing exercises on peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in college-going students, as PEFR is a simple and reliable measure of pulmonary function. METHODOLOGY: An experimental study was conducted on 30 college-going students (18–25 years) with reduced PEFR and mild to moderate dyspnea. Baseline PEFR was measured using a peak flow meter, and dyspnea was assessed using the Modified MRC Dyspnea Scale. Participants performed diaphragmatic and thoracic expansion breathing exercises twice daily for 6 weeks, after which PEFR and MRC grades were reassessed and analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: The findings demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in PEFR among college-going students after 6 weeks of breathing exercises (P < 0.001), indicating enhanced lung function and better expiratory capacity. CONCLUSION: Breathing exercises are effective, simple, and non-invasive techniques that can significantly improve respiratory function in young adults. They may be recommended as part of routine health and fitness programs for college students, as they are easy to implement and show promise in improving pulmonary health in young adults. Keywords: Breathing exercises, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate, Dyspnea, College students, Pulmonary function, Respiratory health