Ventilatory and Oxygenation Responses to Integrated Yogic Breathing Practices in Sedentary Adult Women

Efficient pulmonary ventilation and optimal oxygen saturation are essential for maintaining functional capacity and cardiopulmonary health. Sedentary lifestyle patterns are associated with reduced ventilatory efficiency, shallow breathing patterns, and suboptimal oxygen utilization, even in apparently healthy individuals. Yogic breathing practices emphasize controlled, deep, and rhythmic respiration, which may positively influence lung mechanics and oxygenation. However, evidence examining their effect on objective pulmonary parameters remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an integrated yogic breathing program on pulmonary function and oxygen saturation in sedentary adult women. Thirty sedentary females aged 20–45 years participated in a pre–post interventional study. Baseline assessments included pulmonary function parameters (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, peak expiratory flow rate), resting oxygen saturation (SpO₂), and post-exertional SpO₂ following a standardized 6-minute walk test. Participants underwent a structured yogic breathing intervention for six weeks, consisting of slow diaphragmatic breathing, thoracic expansion breathing, and controlled pranayama techniques. Post-intervention analysis demonstrated statistically significant improvements in pulmonary function parameters and both resting and post-exertional oxygen saturation. These findings suggest that integrated yogic breathing practices enhance ventilatory efficiency and oxygen utilization in sedentary adult women. Yogic breathing may serve as a simple, cost-effective strategy to improve respiratory performance and oxygenation in populations with sedentary lifestyles.