Study aim: To assess the effects of 4-week rope mallakhamb training on respiratory indices in girls.

Material and methods: A group of 24 high-school girls aged 12 - 16 years, who participated in interschool yoga competitions and in the Catch Them Young (CTY) programme, volunteered to participate in this study. They were randomly assigned into rope mallakhamb (M) and control (C) groups, n = 12 each. The M group was subjected to 4-week training consisting of various asanas (Paschimottanasana, Natrajasana, Nidrasana, Mayurasana and Savasana), the control group participated in the routine yoga mallakhamb training not containing the asanas mentioned. The following respiratory indices were determined using a wet spirometer: tidal volume (Vt), expiratory (ERV) and inspiratory (IRV) reserve volume, vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC) and inspiratory capacity (IC).

Results: The 4-week rope mallakhamb training brought about significant (p<0.05 - 0.001) improvements (by 5 - 13%) in all indices except FVC. None of the indices significantly improved in Group C.

Conclusions: The rope mallakhamb training may be recommended to improve strength and endurance of respiratory muscles and may contribute to enhanced voluntary control of breathing.