Effect of yoga training on handgrip and endurance in young individuals

Abstract

Background: Pranayama and asanas of yoga have gained popularity, providing a coherent set of comprehensive exercises and altered ways of length, pattern, and depth of breathing patterns into a unified body–mind strengthening tool, ultimately improving the quality of modern life. The particular effects of yoga on handgrip and endurance have been taken as a study tool in this article. Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives are to study the effect of pranayama training on handgrip strength (HGS) and endurance in young, healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: 60 healthy volunteers in the age group of 18–25 years, including male and female staff working in Madurai Medical College and Hospital and their friends and relatives, were recruited for the study. Results: There is a significant (P < 0.05) increase in handgrip endurance (HGE) and a very highly significant (P < 0.0001) increase in HGS in study group subjects. Conclusion: Regular practice of pranayama has shown improvement in HGS and HGE in both hands. Thus, yoga may be helpful in improving the overall health and performance of young individuals.