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Original Research Article

EVALUATING YOGIC BREATHING INTERVENTIONS ON LUNG ENDURANCE IN YOUNG ADULT SMOKERS

David Mohan, Sonal Garg, Mudasir Ahmad, Adil Abbass

Introduction: Cigarette smoking, a leading global cause of preventable mortality, induces subclinical respiratory damage long before symptoms manifest. Yogic practices like Pranayama and Om chanting are posited to improve respiratory function and resilience. This study investigates the efficacy of an 8-week intervention combining Alternate Nostril Breathing (ANB) and Om chanting on enhancing respiratory endurance and pulmonary function in asymptomatic young adult smokers. The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a combined ANB and Om chanting intervention on parameters of respiratory endurance (BHTi, BHTe, 40 mmHg test) and Spirometric lung function (FEV1, FVC, FEF25-75%) in asymptomatic smokers.

Materials and Methods: A total of 100 asymptomatic smokers (aged 18-25 years) participated in this 8-week interventional study. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included anthropometric data, respiratory endurance tests, and spirometry. Participants underwent supervised sessions of ANB and Om chanting for 10 minutes daily, 6 days a week. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a paired t-test.

Results: The cohort's mean age was 21.4 ± 2.1 years, and mean BMI was 22.6 ± 1.8 kg/m². Post-intervention, all parameters showed a highly significant improvement (p < 0.001). Respiratory endurance parameters (BHTi, BHTe, 40mmHg test) increased by 36.4%, 34.1%, and 44.6% respectively. Spirometric parameters also demonstrated significant enhancement, with FEV1 increasing from 3.21 ± 0.42 L to 3.45 ± 0.38 L (p < 0.001) and FEF25-75% from 3.85 ± 0.51 L/s to 4.12 ± 0.47 L/s (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: An 8-week regimen of Alternate Nostril Breathing and Om chanting significantly improves respiratory muscle endurance and pulmonary function in asymptomatic young adult smokers. These yogic techniques are effective complementary strategies to mitigate smoking-induced respiratory decline.
Keywords: Asymptomatic smokers, Pranayama, Om chanting, Respiratory endurance, Spirometry, BHTi, BHTe, 40mmHg test.

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