Abstract
Background: Menopause is associated with lower lung functions and more respiratory symptoms. The menopausal transition implies a series of hormonal metabolic and psychological changes in women. They undergo lot of changes during this stage and they seek a change for this. Pranayama is an alternative voluntary breathing exercises reported to manage common postmenopausal symptoms, includes hot flashes, night sweat, shortness of breath, fatigue, pain, and psychological changes. With this background, we took up this study effect of pranayama on respiratory functions of postmenopausal women.

Aims and Objectives: The main objective of the study was to investigate the effect of pranayama practice on respiratory functions of postmenopausal women.

Materials and Methods: Sixty volunteers were divided into two groups, 30 interventional group and 30 control group. Pranayama group was subjected to pranayama for 12 weeks. The lung function parameters were recorded on Spiro excel, with a computerized spirometer. Five lung function parameters, it is forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1st s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC% peak expiratory flow rate, and maximum voluntary ventilation, were recorded before and after intervention in both groups.

Results: The analyzed values were significantly improved in the interventional group when compared with the control group. This may be due to maximal inflation and deflation of the lungs which cause increased strength, recruitment, and endurance of respiratory musculature.

Conclusion: Nadi Shodhana pranayama can improve respiratory function and can be suggested as an important tool for healthy living in postmenopausal women.

Key words: Pranayama; Respiratory Functions; Postmenopausal; Vital Capacity