![]() | Member's News | No.49 January 2007 |
||
print / save view |
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the
effect of Kapal Bhati (1) on the vital capacity of junior level cricket
players in the Bhopal Division. Forty male subjects were selected randomly
from different cricket clubs in Bhopal and their age ranged from 16-19
years. They were categorised into two equal groups by random sampling.
20 players formed the experimental group and 20 players formed the control
group. It was ensured that all participants were medically fit to undergo
the training for research. The first pre-test of vital capacity was taken
and after seven days of systematic training, post-tests were conducted
on the same selected characteristics. The members in the experimental
group were asked to perform Kapal Bhati (Pranayama) daily, gradually increasing
from 5 min to 20 min over the seven day program. The members of the control
group were asked to perform their daily routine and did not engage in
practicing Kapal Bhati. The data were examined by applying the 't' test.
The level of significance chosen was .05. On the basis of the literature
reviewed and research findings, it was hypothesized that there would be
significant improvement in the vital capacity of the players who performed
Kapal Bhati (Pranayama) during training.
Introduction
In this dynamic age of science and technology, the human element is
treated the same as before. Its goals are indistinct and unsatisfying.
The mechanisms of modern living, forced restrictions of physical activity
leading to a sedentary life and an increased amount of leisure time
are all factors that have resulted in a tremendous increase of public
and professional interest in physical activity and health. People seem
to be “turning on” to the idea that one looks and feels
better and stays healthier by being more physically active. Due to this
established fact, many young, middle aged and senior adults of both
genders have begun exercising on a regular basis.
Chaterjee (1996) notes the importance of Yogas in
the ancient advanced cultures of Greek sportsman and Indo-Valley civilization.
The main targets of yoga and naturopathy are health and mind culture.
Yoga exercise can help in this endeavor to solve the physical problems
so that health for everybody in the 21st century can be ensured. Yoga
exercise is a kind of bodily movement with mental concentration. Yoga
exercise can help a person to develop health along with control of various
emotions like love, anger, affection and greediness that provide firm
control over body and mind. For this reason, the importance of yoga is
presently felt by a large number of people, possibly most of the nation
of India.
It is being now realized that yoga is not only for better development
of the spiritual mind, but could also be used as a therapy.
Today yoga, being a subject of varied interests,
has gained worldwide popularity. Recent research trends have shown that
it can serve as an applied science in a number of fields such as education,
physical education and sports, health and family welfare, psychology and
medicine and is also of valuable means for the development of human resources
for better performance and productivity, However, controversy exists in
accepting yoga as a medicine and therapy because it has generally been
believed that yoga is a spiritual science having emancipation as its goal
and hence cannot be treated as a therapy. Joshi (2005) regards yoga to
be associated with the acquisition and exhibition of supernatural powers,
requiring complete description of the mind and body.
Methodology
For the purpose of the study, forty male subjects were selected randomly
from different cricket clubs in Bhopal. These 40 boys, aged from 16-19
years were divided into two equal groups by random sampling, using a
random table of random numbers. It was ensured that all of them were
medically fit to undergo the requirements of the research project. Reliability of Data
The researcher established the instrument’s reliability, the tester's
competency and the reliability of the test, which in turn, assumed the
reliability of data. Instrument Reliability
All of the instruments used in this research investigation were found
to be precise and reliable. The vital capacity of the subjects was measured
by using a Spirometer. This instrument was highly sophisticated and
guaranteed by technical corporation, AMIPRO MARKETERS, micro-teknik
Ltd. Arera colony, Bhopal. Experimental Design and Procedure
The first group of 20 subjects was defined as the control group and
the other 20 persons were defined as the experimental group. The pre-test
of vital capacity was taken and after seven days of systematic training
of Kapal Bhati, the post-tests were conducted for the same selected
characteristics. The members of the experimental group were asked to
perform Kapal Bhati (Pranayama) daily, gradually increasing from 5 min
to 20 min over a seven day program. Persons in the control group were
asked to perform their usual daily routine without engaging in Kapal
Bhati.
The detailed training program administered is shown
in Table-1. Table 1: Administration of Training Schedule
1-2 days - the subjects of the experimental group
were asked to practice Kapal Bhati (Pranayama) daily for a duration of
5 minutes. Members of the group performed 3 repetitions of 10 strokes
within 5 min with a sufficient amount of interval. 3-4 days - while maintaining the intensity of the strokes, repetition and time were increased significantly so the individuals did not feel any breathing stress. 5-6 days - during these days the intensity of strokes was increased with a reduction in time and the repetitions were also increased. On the last day the group was asked to perform with their greatest intensity. Higher levels of stroke intensity were performed over less time with reduced resting periods. Afterward the test of vital capacity was administered. Analysis of Data
In order to study the effect of Kapal Bhati on vital capacity, the test
of significance ('t'-test) was applied and .05 level of significance
was chosen to test the hypothesis. Findings
Differences in vital capacity (pre- and post- test) found between control
and experimental groups are presented in table 2. Table 2: Difference Between Post Test
Measures of Vital Capacity between Experimental Group and Control Group.
DM- difference between the means *Significant at .05 level Discussion of Hypothesis
The findings of the study a showed significant improvement in vital
capacity as a result of the seven day training program of Kapal Bhati
(Pranayama). Hence the hypothesis was accepted. Conclusion
(1) Kapalabhati pranayama is a process
to pump out and pump in air or breathe through the nose. A little forced
exhalation of breath brings out stale air from the lower lungs as abdominal
muscles contract sharply raising the diaphragm. Longer inhaling relaxes
muscles and lungs when filled with fresh oxygen-enriched air. Process
of exhalation and inhalation tones up the stomach because of repeated
up and down movement of diaphragm. This process cleans the entire respiratory
system.
References
Johnson, Wrdebn R. & Bus Kirk E.R. (Eds.). (1973).
Science and Medicine and Sports. New York : Harper and Row Publisher's.
Chaterjee, C.C. (1966). Human Physiology 6th ed.
Calcutta: Books and Allied Pvt. Ltd.
Clark, David H. (1975). Exercise Physiology.
Englewood Cliffe, N.J.: Prentice Hall Inc.
Phillip and Hornak. Measurement in Physical Education.
Sivananda Swami. (1938). Practical Lessons in
Yoga. Mini Beach, USA: Shri Sivananda Valentina.
Swami Vishnu Devananda. (1959). The Complete IIIustrated
Book of Yoga. New York Bell Publishers.
Yadav, Yogacharya Hansraj. (1973). Yoga for Students.
Bombay: Vora and Co. Publications.
Brouham Lucien et. al. (1994). Studies in Physical
Efficiency of College students. Research Quarterly 15:3.
Joshi, N.K.(2005). “Yoga Therapy for Parkinson’s disease”.
Abstract published in the abstract of 1st International conference on
advancement in Yoga Education, Research and Health, held at Bhopal,
India, 7-9 Jan. 2005.p.42. Contact
Sameer E. Bhagirathi
Physical Education Teacher, Bhopal (INDIA) B.P.E., M.P.E., M.Phil., Diploma in Coaching Cricket, PG Diploma in Sports Management, Diploma in Sports Journalism, F.I.C.E.R., T.P.A.C. (China). e-mail: Sameer_elwin2001@yahoo.com ![]() http://www.icsspe.org/portal/index.php?w=1&z=5 |