Background: Exercise is any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and thereby overall health. Non-pharmacological mode of treatment of respiratory ailments and hypertension is gaining popularity, of which yoga and aerobic exercise are well sought -after. Both of these help in improving cardiorespiratory functions.
Aim and Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of yoga and aerobic exercise on peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and blood pressure (BP).
Materials and Methods: A total of 86 healthy subjects aged between 30 and 40 years doing respective exercise regularly for ≥6 months, 5 days/week; without any comorbid respiratory or cardiovascular ailments such as ischemic heart disease/diabetes mellitus/asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Demographic details such as age, gender, and history of respiratory or cardiac symptoms were taken by detailed medical history and physical examination. PEFR and BP of subjects of both the groups were measured and evaluated. PEFR was measured using Wrights handheld peak flow meter. BP was measured using sphygmomanometer.
Results: Statistically significant (P < 0.05) difference was seen in PEFR of subjects doing yoga versus aerobics. About 43.75% of males doing yoga had PEFR between 351 and 400 L/min, while same for aerobics was 25%. About 50% of females doing yoga had PEFR between 301 and 350 L/min, while same for aerobics was 35.7%.
Conclusion: PEFR was found statistically higher in subjects doing yoga than aerobics. No significant correlation could be found between BP and yoga/aerobics as various factors, especially genetics, affect it which is a limitation of this study.
Key words: Aerobic Exercise; Blood Pressure; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; Yoga
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