EFFECT OF SLOW BREATHING EXERCISE PRACTICE ON ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS IN HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS

Abstract

Introduction: Regular practice of slow breathing technique shows improvement in the cardio respiratory functions.  it is well known to decrease the effect of stress which, in turn, improves the physical and mental health of an individual.

Objectives: To assess the effect of slow breathing exercise practice on anthropometric parameters in healthy volunteers.

Materials and Methods: A total of 60 young, healthy volunteers of both genders participated in this study. The subjects were allocated to the study group (n = 30) and control group (n = 30) based on simple random technique. Slow breathing exercise training was given to the study group for 20 minutes daily in two sessions for 12 weeks. Heights, weight, body mass index (BMI), were recorded at the start of the study and after 12 weeks in both the groups. Comparison between the study group and control group was done by Student’s unpaired t-test. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results: The average age of the study group and control group participants was 19.7 ± 1.7 years and 19.4 ± 1.9 years, respectively. BMI was significantly decreased in the study group from 21.72 ± 4.12 to 19.56 ± 3.92 (P < 0.05). There was a trend toward decrease in the waist–hip ratio from 0.78 ± 0.62 to 0.74 ± 0.58 (P > 0.05) which was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Slow breathing exercise training improve the anthropometric parameters in the study group. This indicates that regular, long-term slow breathing exercise training helps in weight reduction among the obese population.

Keywords: Obesity, Anthropometry, Slow Breathing Exercises, body mass index, stress.