The Effect of 8 Weeks Power Yoga Exercise on Respiratory Efficiency of Young Woman

The ultimate purpose of respiration is to maintain adequate densities of O2, CO2, and H in the tissues. Respiratory activities are very sensitive to each of these substances. The present study aims to examine effect of eight weeks of power yoga exercises on respiratory efficiency of young healthy women. Therefore, 22 women with average age of 22.71±0.9 years, average height of 165±8.93 centimeters, and body mass index of 23.80±2.18 participated voluntarily in two divided groups of exercise and control, in this study. The applied exercise program of this study included 8 weeks of yoga exercises (Asana), performed during 3 sessions of 90 minutes in a week. The spirometer gas analyzer device was used to measure respiratory gases. The subjects continued modified Bruce protocol up to test distress. Measurements were repeated again after eight weeks and 48 hours after the last exercise session. The results showed that eight weeks of power yoga exercises lead to significant differences in VO2max, RER, VT, VE, EQO2, EQCO2, and PETO2 factors between two groups. But no significant differences observed in PETCO2 and VE/VCO2 factors between two groups. It seems that observing no significant differences in VE/VCO2 factor is due to low initial rate of VE/VCO2 gradient. But differences in respiratory models and the type of used protocol (progressive intermediate) could be effective.