Temple University researchers find that pulmonary function increases with regular attendance to church… hmmmm.
Regular religious service attendance (at least weekly attendance) was associated with a slower pulmonary function decline among men and women, compared to those who never attend services. The findings could not be explained by differences in smoking or physical activity.
Now I fully understand the power of a positive attitude and all that, but this seems to go beyond that… I do not believe the “psychological well being” of an individual directly effects physiological function.
Maybe it’s just all the singing, which in many ways is analogous to deep breathing exercises that people with lung disease have to do…
Here is a study (Journal of Music Therapy) where they showed singing was correlated with increased pulmonary function.
This study investigated the effects of group singing instruction on the physical health and general wellness of senior citizens with emphysema. Subjects (n = 7) participated in 6 weeks of group vocal instruction, which emphasized breath management techniques. Dependent measures reflected physical health, functional outcomes, and quality of life. No significant differences were found on measures of physical health (FEV1, inspiratory threshold, distance walked, and The DUKE physical health subscale). Measures of functional outcomes each showed a significant change across time. Results of the ANOVAs for breath management (extent of counting) and breath support (intensity of speech) were significant (p <.038 & p <.000 respectively). Descriptive analyses showed a clear and dramatic shift in breathing mode from clavicular to diaphragmatic breathing that was maintained 2 weeks after the treatment period. Quality of life measures (subjective scales and The Duke Health Profile) yielded mixed results. Findings of this study suggest that vocal instruction, inclusive of breathing exercises, may help to improve the quality of life for senior citizens
Here is the full press release.
2 responses so far ↓
1 coturnix // Dec 21, 2006 at 11:50 am
Well, there was a study a few months ago (I saw many people blog about it, though I did not) about the negative effects of incense and candle smoke on respiratory function in frequent church-goers.
2 Matt MacManes // Dec 21, 2006 at 12:24 pm
so maybe the trick is to go to a smoke-free church? I wonder if the researchers cherry-picked churched based on their “smokiness”.
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