Effect of Aerobic Exercise Training Versus Pranayama Yoga Training on Patients with Bronchial Asthma

Abstract

Background: Bronchial asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness. Regular physical exercise and structured breathing practices are both believed to improve respiratory function and quality of life in asthma patients, but direct comparisons are limited.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of aerobic exercise training versus pranayama (yogic breathing) training as adjunct therapies for adults with mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma and improve quality of life in these patients.

Subjects, materials and methods: In this randomized controlled trial, sixty adult patients (age 22–40) with clinically diagnosed mild-to-moderate asthma were randomly assigned to the three groups (n=20 each). Group A received standard asthma medication plus a supervised aerobic exercise program, Group B received standard medication plus pranayama yoga training, and Group C (control) received standard medication alone. The two intervention programs were conducted over six weeks with three sessions per week.

Results:

Statistical analysis showed that both groups (A and B) showed significant improvements in pulmonary function (FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC) exercise capacity, asthma control, and quality of life after 6 weeks, whereas the control group showed no significant changes.

Conclusion: Both aerobic exercise training and pranayama yoga breathing exercises are effective adjunct therapies for improving lung function, symptom control, and quality of life in patients with bronchial asthma. The slightly greater improvement in small-airway function observed with pranayama may reflect the specific benefit of breath-control techniques on airway dynamics.