Increased Maximal Expiratory Pressure, Abdominal and Thoracic Respiratory Expansibility in Healthy Yoga Practitioners Compared to Healthy Sedentary Individuals

Abstract

BackgroundRespiratory exercises have proven to be an effective non-pharmacologic intervention for the treatment and prevention of hypertension 1 and psychological states, such as anxiety and depression. 2 However, not much has been demonstrated concerning respiratory patterns that could be considered critical parameters for health issues.Most respiratory evaluations are related to pulmonary function (spirometry) or respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure) and made by means of a mouth device that could interfere with most people's natural breathing. 3 Abdominal cavity and rib cage movements involved in respiration have the potential to be evaluated (piezoelectric belts), but

Breathing and Cardiovascular Patterns: What can we Learn from Respiratory Exercises?

“…2 Respiratory exercises are part of the Yoga program that includes abdominal and rib cage expansion by rhythmic movements. [1][2][3] It was demonstrated that four months of Yoga respiratory training improved inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength, forced vital capacity and quality of life in healthy elderly. Another study demostrated that Yoga influenced cardiorespiratory control, affecting the resting sympatho-vagal balance, with a shift from vagal to sympathetic predominance, reflecting a sympathetic withdrawal.…”