Comparative effects of respiratory muscle training versus yogic breathing on pulmonary function and endurance in older adults

The geriatric population often experiences reduced physical capacity and muscle weakness due to ageing and chronic pulmonary conditions. Respiratory muscle training and yogic breathing are evidence based interventions that enhance respiratory efficiency functional independence and overall quality of life. Respiratory Muscle Strength Training strengthens the diaphragm and intercostal muscles and is beneficial for conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease asthma and respiratory muscle weakness. Yogic breathing through pranayama practices also improves respiratory function and supports better pulmonary health.

Regular yogic breathing strengthens respiratory muscles improves lung expansion and enhances forced vital capacity forced expiratory volume in one second peak expiratory flow rate and maximal voluntary ventilation. Techniques such as Bhastrika and Anulom Vilom act as endurance training for the diaphragm improving oxygen exchange and reducing airway resistance. Although both yogic breathing and respiratory muscle training independently improve respiratory function there is a lack of studies comparing their effectiveness in the geriatric population.

 Study procedure

After baseline assessment and enrollment a total of forty older adults will be included in the study. Participants will be allocated into two groups an experimental group and a control group.

Participants allocated to the experimental group will receive a structured respiratory muscle training program. The program will include thoracic expansion exercises diaphragmatic breathing segmental breathing exercises and inspiratory muscle training. Inspiratory muscle training will be performed at an intensity of forty to fifty percent of maximal inspiratory pressure. The training protocol will be supervised and progressed as per individual tolerance.

Participants in the control group will undergo a yogic breathing and thoraco abdominal expansion program. The session will begin with a warm up consisting of neck rolls and shoulder rolls for five minutes. This will be followed by pranayama breathing exercises including Dirgha Shwasan for five minutes Anulom Vilom for ten minutes with a breathing rate of approximately six breaths per minute and Ujjayi breathing with slight resistance for five minutes.

Thoraco abdominal expansion will be achieved through yogic asanas including Tadasana with arm lift Trikonasana Ardha Chakrasana Bhujangasana and Setu Bandhasana. Each posture will be held for forty five seconds repeated twice and progressed by increasing the hold duration as tolerated. The session will conclude with relaxation and humming using Bhramari Pranayama for five minutes.

The total duration of each session for both groups will be approximately sixty minutes.

 Statistical analysis plan

Descriptive statistics will be used to calculate mean and standard deviation for quantitative variables such as age height weight and body mass index. Frequency and percentage will be used for categorical variables such as gender.

Normality of data will be assessed using the Shapiro Wilk test. If the data is normally distributed the independent sample t test will be used to compare mean differences in pulmonary function parameters including forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity as well as pulmonary endurance measured by the six minute walk test between the two groups. The paired t test will be used to assess pre and post intervention differences within each group.

If the data is skewed the Mann Whitney U test will be used to compare differences between groups and the Wilcoxon signed rank test will be used to assess changes from pre to post intervention within groups.

Statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS version twenty one for Windows. Data will be managed and processed in Excel before being imported into SPSS.