comparison eight weeks aerobic and yoga training on pulmonary function indices and maximal oxygen consumption in untrained women

background maximal oxygen consumption (vo2max) forced vital capacity(fvc), forced expiratory volume(fev1) and maximum voluntary ventilation(mvv) are important indicators of pulmonary functions that show physical health and physical activity of individuals. the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of yoga and aerobic trainings on pulmonary functions parameters in untrained women. thirty (healthy and untrained) women (mean±sd;age:26.53±4.98yr, height:1.60±0.53m, weight:72.66± 14.94kg, bmi:28.52±5.82kg/m2)volunteered to participate in this study. the subjects were randomly divided into three groups (yoga, aerobic and control) of 10 persons on basis of bmi of 10 persons. the training groups (yoga and aerobic) participated in their special exercise program during eight weeks, 3days in a week, a session in each day and every session lasted for 1 hour. before and after training sessions, all pulmonary function parameters (fvc, fev1and mvv) were measured by spirometer, and vo2max were examined by shuttle run test in all three groups. descriptive statistics, analysis of covariate (ancova) and scheffe post hoc test were used for analyze the data. results the results showed significant increases in pulmonary indexes (fvc, fev1and mvv) and vo2max in both yoga and aerobic groups compared to control group(p<0.05). conclusion overall the results showed that there is no significant differences between eight week yoga and aerobic exercise in indicators of pulmonary function and vo2max..