Pranayama increases grip strength without lateralized effects
Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology
Short Title:
Indian J.Physiol.Pharmacol.
Format:
Journal Article
Publication Date:
Nov 30, 1996
Pages:
129 - 133
Sources ID:
30231
Notes:
LR: 20061115; JID: 0374707; 1997/04/01 00:00 [pubmed]; 1997/04/01 00:01 [medline]; 1997/04/01 00:00 [entrez]; ppublish
Collection:
Yoga-Based Medical Interventions
Visibility:
Public (group default)
Abstract:
(Show)
The present study was conducted to determine whether breathing through a particular nostril has a lateralized effect on hand grip strength. 130 right hand dominant, school children between 11 and 18 yrs of age were randomly assigned to 5 groups. Each group had a specific yoga practice in addition to the regular program for a 10 day yoga camp. The practices were: (1) right-, (2) left-, (3) alternate- nostril breathing (4), breath awareness and (5) practice of mudras. Hand grip strength of both hands was assessed initially and at the end of 10 days for all 5 groups. The right-, left- and alternate-nostril breathing groups had a significant increase in grip strength of both hands, ranging from 4.1% to 6.5%, at the end of the camp though without any lateralization effect. The breath awareness and mudra groups showed no change. Hence the present results suggest that yoga breathing through a particular nostril, or through alternate nostrils increases hand grip strength of both hands without lateralization.