Effects of a 12-week yoga training program on pulmonary function in elderly men living in old-age homes

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. Aging is associated with progressive structural and physiological changes in the respiratory system, including reduced lung elasticity, decreased chest wall compliance, and weakened respiratory musculature. Yoga is a low-cost and potentially effective non-pharmacological intervention for improving health in older adults. Age-related respiratory changes may reduce pulmonary function and functional capacity in older men. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a 12-week yoga training program on pulmonary function in elderly men.

Materials and Methods. Sixty elderly men aged 65–75 years from two old-age homes in Imphal, Manipur, were recruited through purposive sampling and then randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 30) or a control group (n = 30). The experimental group participated in 12 weeks of supervised yoga training (5 sessions/week, 60 minutes/session), while the control group continued their habitual daily activities. A peak flow meter was used to assess pulmonary function before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired-samples t-tests, with statistical significance set at p < .05.

Results. The experimental group demonstrated a significant improvement in PEFR following the intervention, with the mean increasing from 334.83 ± 44.77 L/min to 377.17 ± 46.75 L/min (t(29) = −12.55, p < .001). In contrast, the control group showed a significant decline in PEFR, from 336.00 ± 62.73 L/min to 321.00 ± 60.13 L/min (t(29) = 5.23, p < .001).

Conclusions. A 12-week supervised yoga training program provided significant benefits to pulmonary function in elderly men, as evidenced by improvements in PEFR. These results suggest that structured yoga practice may be a feasible, safe, and accessible means of promoting respiratory health and healthy aging in older adults.