ABSTRACT
Background: Chefs exposed to cooking fumes are at risk due to the toxic products that are produced during cooking. Studies have shown that exposure to cooking fumes decreases lung capacities, affects breathing and cause other respiratory diseases. Yoga strengthens the respiratory musculature due to which chest and lungs inflate & deflate to fullest possible extent & muscles are made to work to maximal extent. Pranayama makes efficient use of abdominal & diaphragmatic muscles and improves the respiratory apparatus. Aim: The present study was done to determine the effect of Yoga & Pranayama on chest expansion & breath holding time in chefs exposed to cooking fumes. Methods: In this experimental study 30 chefs exposed to cooking fumes who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria using Medical research council questionnaire for respiratory symptoms were selected for yoga and pranayama program for 6 weeks, 3 sessions per week for 45 minutes. Pre and post respiratory functions were assessed by measuring chest expansion and breath holding time. Stastical analysis was done by using Wilcoxan test to compare the pre & post chest expansion. Paired t test was used to compare the pre & post breath holding time. Results: There was significant increase in chest expansion and breath holding time compared to pre yoga and pranayama practice. Conclusion: This study showed that there is significant effect of yoga and pranayama on chest expansion & breath holding on chefs.
ABSTRACT
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) is one of the major vegetable crops cultivated in tropical conditions. Two varieties of cowpea, i.e., Vigna unguiculata L.cv Kanakamony and cv Pusakomal were selected for the present study. The changes in lipid peroxidation, ascorbic acid content and activities of enzymatic antioxidants associated with drought stress were determined. A high level of lipid peroxidation was observed in test plants subjected to water stress. The Pusakomal leaves with severe stress showed 2.7 fold increase in TBARS compared to control and 1.2 fold to that of Kanakamony The drought tolerant variety showed significant increase in the activities of peroxidase and catalase on exposure to drought stress. Kanakamony leaves in severe stress possess 1.09 times increase in peroxidase and 1.8 times increase in catalase activity than Pusakomal. The concentration of ascorbic acid in test plants depleted with increased drought stress in both varieties. While the leaves of tolerant variety in severe stress showed 1.13 times higher ascorbic acid content than Pusakomal. Among the two varieties, Kanakamony possess the best antioxidant system to tolerate drought stress. This could limit cellular damage caused by active oxygen species, during waterdeficit. The variety Pusakomal was relatively poor in these adaptations.