The effects of yoga training on chest wall expansion and respiratory muscle strength in female subjects

• Main Author: Sarayoot Mongkol
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chaing Mai University 2016-09-01
• Series: Journal of Associated Medical Sciences
• Subjects: Yoga training; chest wall expansion; respiratory muscle strength
• Online Access: https://www.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/bulletinAMS/article/view/69226

Background: Yoga is a type of exercise with breathing control, which has effect on increased flexibility of muscle, improvement of cardiorespiratory function, and stress reduction. Objective: To determine the effects of yoga training on chest wall expansion and respiratory muscle strength in female subjects.Materials and methods: Twenty-five female participants were recruited in this study. The participants completed a 6-week yoga training consisted of 30 minutes a day for 3 days a week session. The chest wall expansion was measured before and after yoga training by standard tape at the upper, middle, and lower level of thorax. All participants were measured for muscle strength of both maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP).Results: Participants demonstrated a significant increase in mean differences of chest wall expansion after yoga training. The mean differences between pre and post training for the upper, middle, and lower chest wall was 0.89±0.58 cm (p<0.01), 1.27±0.57 cm (p<0.01), and 0.81±0.89 cm (p<0.01), respectively. The MIP and MEP were increased significantly after yoga training (p<0.05).Conclusion: Chest wall expansion and respiratory muscle strength has been improved by undergoing yoga training 30 min/day and 3 days/week for 6 weeks.   Bull Chiang Mai Assoc Med Sci 2016; 49(2): 363-369. Doi: 10.14456/jams.2016.32