ABSTRACT
Introduction: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of swimming on lung functions. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) of young freestyle swimmers were compared with those of sedentary individuals. Swimming works the heart, lungs and muscles. This trains the body to use oxygen more efficiently, which is generally reflected in declines in resting heart rate and respiratory rate. The thoracic and abdominal muscle strength plays an important role in pulmonary functions and diffusing lung capacity. So the current study compares to test whether lung functions are modified by swimming. Material and Methods: The present study was carried out at tertiary health care centre of Mumbai on 60 subjects of age group 18 – 25 years after the informed and written consent by forming 2 groups. The study group, comprising of 30 swimmers, practicing for at least 3 months regularly with one session of 30-60 minutes duration per day and minimum three days in a week. The control group comprised of 30 subjects who are sedentary individuals. Respiratory rate, breath holding time, FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC was measured using computerized pulmonary testing machine. The various data was collected, compiled, statistically analysed and parameters were compared using unpaired t test. Results: There was a significant difference in the mean and standard deviation of pulmonary function test parameters between two groups with better lung function parameters in swimmers group (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Regular exercise enhances physical capabilities and physiological responses of the human body. The cause of improved respiratory functions and flow rates after swimming was increased pulmonary capacity and thereby improving the lung functioning. Swimmers have greater pulmonary efficiency than non-swimmers which acts as a predictor of performance
ABSTRACT
Medical students are exposed to many stressors and if stress is perceived negatively or becomes excessive can affect academic performance and health adversely. The objective of this study was to assess stress, predominant stressor and effect of music on perceived stress. 90 undergraduate students were selected randomly. A written questionnaire about personal information, stressful factors, ways to cope up stress, Rosenberg self-esteem scale (Rosenberg, 1965) and ‘Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology’ selfrated 16 (QIDS–SR-16) was given.45.6% Students had mild stress, 7.7% students had moderate stress and 1.1% students had severe stress. Academic factors were the predominant cause of stress in most students, followed by physical, social and emotional. On Rosenberg self-esteem scale (Rosenberg, 1965) 85.6% students had high self-esteem and on QIDS-SR16 50% students had depression. Effect of music on perceived stress was statistically significant. Medical curriculum is associated with increased stress in students. Music can be used as simple, inexpensive and effective therapy for stress.
ABSTRACT
Background and Objective: Swimming is often recommended by various authoritative groups as a mode of exercise for the prevention and treatment of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Hence the current study compares the cardiovascular functional abilities with respect to Blood pressure in young freestyle swimmers practicing regularly and non-swimmers. Materials and Methods: The present Study was carried out at tertiary health centre of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai on medical students after the informed and written consent. Sixty male medical students of age group 18 – 25 years fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included. The study was carried out by forming 2 groups. One group was the study group, comprising of 30 students who are swimmers, practicing for at least 3 months regularly with one session of 30-60 minutes duration per day and minimum three days in a week were include in the study group. The control group comprised of 30 students who are non-swimmers. Their Blood pressure was measured using sphygmomanometer. The data was recorded and analysed for the statistical significance using student’s‘t’ test. P less than 0.05 were considered the level of significance. Result: The mean resting systolic blood pressure in swimmers is significantly lower than in non-swimmers and is statistically significant (p = 0.000). The mean resting diastolic blood pressure in swimmers is significantly lower than in non-swimmers and is statistically significant. (p = 0.000). Discussion and Conclusion: Finding ways to initiate and maintain a physically active lifestyle, particularly with older adults, is a challenge to the practitioner. Swimming has been recommended as an alternative to land-based activity, particularly for older individuals, those who are obese or those who have limited mobility. Our finding may have important implications for exercise prescription in Younger and Older subjects.