European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background & Objective: Overweight  and  obese young  individuals  with sedentary life style  are at a higher  risk  for  deterioration  of their respiratory functions. Participation in regular   prolonged   physical activity is an important factor that yields sufficient improvements in respiratory indices. The aim of the present study was to assess and compare body composition and pulmonary function parameters in young adults having conventional exercises, yoga and sedentary lifestyle.
Material and Methods: A total of 90 subjects of both genders aged between 18 to 30 years comprising athletes who have been practicing conventional (aerobic) exercises and yogis doing pranayama and yoga asanas for a minimum of 30 minutes6 days a week for at least last 6 months and sedentary individuals were studied. Anthropometric measurementswere taken.
They were assessed for body composition( BMI,WHR, body fat Percentage (BF%) , total body water (TBW), lean Body Mass (LBM)  and pulmonary function ( FVC , FEV1  ,FEV1 / FVC Ratio  and PEFR) parameters.
Result: In our study, subjects doing yogic exercises had the lowest weight, BMI and WHR and highest TBW among three groups.  Body fat% was found to be significantly lower however, LBM was significantly higher in exercise group. The yoga group had significantly higher FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC and PEFR values followed by exercise group.
Conclusion: This is concluded that regular practice of yogic or conventional exercises by virtue of increased energy expenditure leads to significant changes in body composition which improvelung functions.