The Influence of Specific Yoga Pranayama Practices on Vital Capacity in Sedentary College Students Living in Hostels

Abstract

The contemporary-day lifestyle, especially inside the hostels of university college students with a sedentary lifestyle, relates to declining respiratory fitness and decreased VC. The objective of this study aimed to assess the effect of specific yoga pranayama practices (Kapalabhati, Bhastrika, Anulom Vilom) on vital capacity in sedentary college students. The study utilized a pretest-post-test control group design, and 40 participants (20 males) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG) (n=20) receiving a 6-week pranayama intervention or a control group (CG) (n=20) not engaging in any physical activity except their regular sedentary lifestyle. Pre- and post-intervention records of vital capacity were obtained using a digital spirometer. Statistical analysis between groups showed that an increase in vital capacity was statistically significant in the experimental group over the control group (p < 0.05). The experimental group demonstrated a mean post-intervention VC of 4.61 L (±0.45), surpassing the control group’s mean of 4.07 L (±0.46), with the intervention explaining 81.4% of the variance in outcomes (Partial Eta Squared = 0.814). The results indicate that regular practice of certain pranayama techniques can improve respiratory performance and help counteract the effects of an inactive lifestyle. It demonstrates the efficacy of an alternate yoga-based regimen for sedentary college students in improving their lung function, significantly in the context of respiratory health.