Effect of Bhastrika Pranayama on Pulmonary Function and Body Mass Index of Banaras Hindu University Students.

Background: -Bhastrika Pranayama is a rapid, forceful breathing technique traditionally held to improve lung function and stimulate metabolic activity. University students, owing to sedentary schedules and exposure to urban pollution, are particularly prone to declining respiratory efficiency.
Aim: - To study the effect of Bhastrika Pranayama on pulmonary function and Body Mass Index (BMI) of Banaras Hindu University students.
Materials and Methods: - Thirty students aged 18–25 years were randomly assigned to two equal groups: an experimental group that practised Bhastrika Pranayama daily for six weeks, and a control group that received no intervention. We measured Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Vital Capacity (VC), and BMI before and after the six weeks and analysed them using a paired t-test.
Results: - The experimental group showed a significant rise in FVC, from 2.9915 ± 0.8803 L to 3.2280 ± 0.8391 L (p<0.001). VC dropped from 3877.87 ± 5434.34 mL to 3199.95 ± 868.26 mL, though this change was not statistically significant (p=0.419). BMI stayed unchanged at 22.7798 ± 1.9149 kg/m² across both assessments. No change was observed in the control group for any parameter.
Conclusion: Six weeks of Bhastrika Pranayama practice significantly improved FVC among university students, while VC and BMI showed no meaningful change. The findings support Bhastrika Pranayama as a simple, accessible method for improving lung function, though longer-duration studies are warranted to evaluate its impact on VC and body composition more conclusively.

Bhastrika Pranayama, Pulmonary function, FVC, VC, BMI

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