Effect of four voluntary regulated yoga breathing techniques on grip strength

Percept Mot Skills. 2009 Jun;108(3):775-81. doi: 10.2466/PMS.108.3.775-781.

Abstract

Bilateral hand-grip strength was studied in 21 male volunteers (M age = 25.6 yr., SD = 5.2). All were assessed before and after five practice sessions of 20 min. duration: right-nostril yoga breathing, left-nostril yoga breathing, alternate-nostril yoga breathing, breath awareness, and a no-intervention session. Data were analyzed with analyses of variance and an analysis of variance using the no-breath awareness control condition as a covariate. There were no significant changes. The left-hand-grip strength reduced after left-nostril yoga breathing. However, findings were not considered significant, so methodological issues in yoga research which could contribute to null findings and even mask actual changes were discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Hand Strength / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Respiration
  • Yoga / psychology*