Effect of anuloma viloma pranayama on cardiorespiratory parameters in apparently healthy young adults

Sakshi Verma; Jagdish Narayan; Shraddha Singh

doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20263517

Authors

Sakshi Verma Department of Physiology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Jagdish Narayan Department of Physiology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Shraddha Singh Department of Physiology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20263517

Keywords:

Alternate nostril breathing, Anuloma viloma, Cardiorespiratory function, Healthy young adults, Peak expiratory flow rate, Pranayama

Abstract

Background: Alternate nostril breathing (anuloma viloma pranayama) has been reported to influence autonomic balance and improve cardiorespiratory function. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of regular anuloma viloma practice on selected cardiorespiratory parameters in healthy young individuals.

Methods: This study was carried out in the department of physiology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, after institutional ethics committee approval. A total of 52 apparently healthy young adults aged 18-26 years with BMI 18.5-22.9 kg/m² were enrolled. Participants were divided into two groups. During the experimental phase, subjects practiced anuloma viloma for 10 minutes daily for 4 weeks, while the control phase involved no breathing intervention. Pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and PEFR were assessed. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 21.0.

Results: Baseline cardiac and respiratory parameters of both groups were comparable. After intervention, group A showed significantly lower pulse rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure compared with group B. PEFR was significantly higher in the intervention group.

Conclusions: Regular practice of anuloma viloma pranayama produced favourable cardiorespiratory changes in apparently healthy young adults, with reduction in pulse rate and blood pressure, along with improvement in peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR).

References

Jahan I, Begum M, Akhter S, Islam MZ, Jahan N, Samad N, et al. Effects of alternate nostril breathing exercise on cardiorespiratory functions in healthy young adults. Ann Afr Med. 2021;20(2):69-77.

Jahan I, Begum M, Akhter S, Islam Z, Haque M, Jahan N. Effects of alternate nostril breathing exercise on cardiac functions in healthy young adults leading a stressful lifestyle. J Popul Ther Clin Pharmacol. 2020;27(2):e68-e77.

Nam TG, Jeong H, Kim KH, Jang I. Effectiveness of alternative nostril breathing on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complement Med Res. 2024;31(5):449-60.

Pai V, Borkar N, Nirvan M, Verma M. Immediate hemodynamic changes during slow uninostril and alternate nostril breathing patterns in normotensive adults. Int J Yoga. 2024;17(3):175-81.

Upadhyay Dhungel K, Malhotra V, Sarkar D, Prajapati R. Effect of alternate nostril breathing exercise on cardiorespiratory functions. Nepal Med Coll J. 2008;10(1):25-7.

Pal GK, Velkumary S, Madanmohan. Effect of short-term practice of breathing exercises on autonomic functions in normal human volunteers. Indian J Med Res. 2004;120(2):115-21.

Jerath R, Edry JW, Barnes VA, Jerath V. Physiology of long pranayamic breathing: neural respiratory elements may explain how slow deep breathing shifts autonomic state. Med Hypothes. 2006;67(3):566-71.

Russo MA, Santarelli DM, O’Rourke D. The physiological effects of slow breathing in the healthy human. Breathe. 2017;13(4):298-309.

Telles S, Nagarathna R, Nagendra HR. Breathing through a particular nostril can alter metabolism and autonomic activities. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1994;38(2):133-7.

Jahan I, Begum M, Akhter S, Islam MZ, Jahan N, Haque M. Effects of alternate nostril breathing exercise on respiratory functions in healthy young adults leading a stressful lifestyle. J Popul Ther Clin Pharmacol. 2020;27(1):e104-14.

Turankar AV, Jain S, Patel SB, Sinha SR, Joshi AD, Vallish BN, et al. Effects of slow breathing exercise on cardiovascular functions, pulmonary functions and galvanic skin resistance in healthy human volunteers- a pilot study. Indian J Med Res. 2013;137(5):916-21.

Kalaivani S, Kumari MJ, Pal GK. Effect of alternate nostril breathing exercise on blood pressure, heart rate, and rate pressure product among patients with hypertension in JIPMER, Puducherry. J Educ Health Promot. 2019;8:145.

Chanavirut R, Khaidjapho K, Jaree P, Pongnaratorn P. Yoga exercise increases chest wall expansion and lung volumes in young healthy subjects. Pak J Physiol. 2006;2(2):1-5.

Pal GK, Agarwal A, Karthik S, Pal P, Nanda N. Slow yogic breathing through right and left nostril influences sympathovagal balance, heart rate variability, and cardiovascular risks in young adults. N Am J Med Sci. 2014;6(3):145-51.

Telles S, Sharma SK, Balkrishna A. Blood pressure and heart rate variability during yoga-based alternate nostril breathing practice and breath awareness. Med Sci Monit Basic Res. 2014;20:184-93.

Bernardi L, Porta C, Sleight P. Cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory changes induced by different types of breathing. J Hypertens. 2002;20(5):859-66.