Effect of Six Weeks Pranayama Practice on Positive Breath Holding Time in School Boys

DOI- https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21801976

Abstract

The present study was designed to examine the influence of a six-week pranayama program on positive breath holding time (BHT) in adolescent school boys. A randomized experimental design was used with a sample of 60 healthy male students (age 14–17 years) from a senior secondary school. Subjects were divided into experimental (pranayama training) and control groups. The pranayama group performed structured breathing practices including Anulom Vilom, Bhramari, and Kapalbhati for 30 minutes per day, five days a week for six weeks. Breath holding time was measured before and after the intervention using the nostril-clip method and a stopwatch. Statistical analysis (paired t-test) showed a significant increase in BHT post-training in the experimental group (p < 0.05), whereas the control group showed no significant change. The findings indicate that regular pranayama practice effectively enhances respiratory control and positive breath holding capacity in school-aged boys, suggesting potential benefits for respiratory health and endurance.

Keywords: Pranayama, Breath Holding Time, School Boys, Respiratory Endurance, Yoga Training, Pulmonary Function