ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate the 24-week effect of pranayama on abdominal muscle strength, cardio respiratory endurance and flexibility. Only 30 college students (boys) between the ages of 22 and 27 were assigned part- time to train at the Bharati Vidyapeeth College of physical education. Abdominal muscle strength, cardio respiratory endurance and flexibility were measured in this study. Pranayama works five days a week and training classes were held in the evening for a period of 50 minutes. Paired t 'tests were used to investigate the existence of significant differences between the pre- and post-test phases of the 24-week pranayama program. In conclusion the improvement was found after twenty-four weeks of the pranayama system and the differences were statistically significant. Pranayama not only beneficial for mental health but also improves abdominal muscle strength, cardio respiratory endurance and flexibility.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The diaphragm is man's main respiratory muscle. The role of the abdominal muscles is seen in both quiet and forceful breathing. Abdominal muscle function could be affected in subjects with back pain. Few studies are done about the relation between expiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function. So the aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of abdominal muscle strength with pulmonary function in patients with low back pain. Materials and methods: Sixty subjects with low back pain were included in the study. Subjects with history of acute or chronic respiratory disorders were excluded. Abdominal muscle strength was measured by curl up test and FEV1/FVC and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was measured to assess pulmonary functional. Results: Using Spearman test for correlation between abdominal muscle strength and FEV1/FVC (r= - 0.27, p=0.03), and between abdominal muscle strength and PEFR (r=0.34, p=0.007) was seen. Conclusion: There was a weak correlation between abdominal muscle strength and pulmonary function in subjects of low back pain.
ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationships between age-related changes of postural stability and physical function in middle-aged and elderly Japanese. The subjects were 640 males and 620 females who had participated in both the baseline and the 4-year follow-up surveys of the National Institute for Longevity Sciences-Longitudinal Study of Aging. Postural stability was measured using a force platform. Flexibility, muscle function, reaction time, balance and comfortable and maximal gait performance were also measured as physical function. Postural sway was increased in 4 years. Multiple logistic regression analysis controlled for age, sex, height, weight and history of diseases revealed significant relationships between decline of postural stability and sit-ups, flexibility, frequency and velocity at comfortable gait and leg extension power at baseline. These results suggest that not only greater abdominal muscle strength and leg power but also quick walking benefit the preservation of postural stability.