Effect of alternate nostril breathing on cardio respiratory parameters and muscle strength among rotating shift workers

Night shifts at work is the most frequent reasons for circadian rhythm disruption and subsequent psychological and physiological disturbances, especially increased risk of cardiovascular and respiratory ailments compared to daytime workers. Alternate nostril breathing for about 15 minutes was known to have effect over cardiac, respiratory parameters and muscle strength. Hence aim is of interest to assess the effects of alternate nostril breathing (ANB) on cardio-respiratory parameters and muscle strength among the rotating shift workers in the tertiary care hospital. This observational study was carried out in the department of Physiology after getting institutional ethical committee clearance. Around 140 rotating night shift workers of both sex of age 25-40 years with normal BMI and 140 non-shift workers age, sex and BMI matched were selected as study and control group respectively. Heart rate, blood Pressure, respiratory rate, peak expiratory flow rate, respiratory endurance, respiratory burst test, muscle strength and fatigue were recorded before and after 15 minutes of ANB. Shift workers were found to have significantly altered systolic (P=0.000) and diastolic (P=0.002) blood pressure and heart rate (P=0.010) compared to non-shift workers. Fatigue is altered significantly (P< 0.05) after ANB between both shift and non- shift workers. ANB can be used as a therapeutic module among the shift workers, to maintain their sound health and to improve their performance in the night duty.