Abstract

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE MECHANISM OF ACTION OF PRANAYAMA AND SWIMMING ON PULMONARY FUNCTION IN HEALTHY INDIVIDUAL –A REVIEW

*Vidya Wasnik and Vijay Patrikar

Abstract

Yoga an ancient science is very much helpful to bring balance and health to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions of the individual. Maharshi Patanjali comprise the eight branches of Yoga as Yama, Niyama (Ethical practices), Asana (Posture), Pranayama (Breathing practices), Pratyahara (control over senses), Dharana, Dhyana (Meditation) and Samadhi of which Pranayama is the fourth branch. Swimming is one of the endurance exercise which is effective on cardiovascular and respiratory system and test the responses of these system is very popular. In swimming there is also a breath holding procedure. That‟s why the study was aimed to review the literature about the effect of Pranayama and swimming on lung function by means of total lung volumes and capacities and to compare the mechanism of action of both the modalities on that. Conclusion: It was concluded that both the modalities Pranayama and Swimming are significantly increases the pulmonary functions but as swimming is an endurance exercise it improves the lung function more effectively than the Pranayama which is a slow and steady method of breathing practices.

Keywords: Lung function, Swimming, Pranayama, physiology etc.