Effects of eight weeks of mat pilates training on selected hematological parameters and plasma volume variations in healthy active women.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of eight weeks of mat Pilates training on selected hematological parameters, i.e. white blood cell, neutrophils, monocyte, lymphocyte, hematocrit, hemoglobin as well as plasma volume variations in healthy, active women. METHODS: Twenty-eight women physical education students volunteered to participate in the present investigation. They were assigned to two groups: a Pilates training group (n = 14) that followed an 8-week Pilates training program, and a control group (n = 14). Blood samples were collected at rest at two separate occasions before and after Pilates training. RESULTS: The Pilates training group had higher values of plasma volume variations and lower values of white blood cell (19.4%), neutrophils (32%), hematocrit (4.3%) and hemoglobin (4.6%) compared to control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggested that Pilates training could be an effective strategy for increasing plasma volume variations and boosting immune system in healthy active women.

The effect of music on short-term exercise performance during the different menstrual cycle phases in female handball players.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of music on short-term exercise performance during the different menstrual cycle phases (MCP). In different MCP (i.e. menstrual phase (MP), luteal phase (LP), follicular phase (FP)) and in a randomized order, fourteen female handball players aged between 21-24 years performed during music (fast-tempo, 140 bpm) and no-music conditions the following tests: squat jump (SJ) test, countermovement jump (CMJ), agility T-test (TT), and repeated sprint ability (RSA). The profile of mood states (POMS) questionnaire was completed in the different MCP. The rating of perceived exertion was recorded at the end of TT and RSA. MCP does not affect the SJ, CMJ, TT and RSA performance. However, anxiety, anger, and confusion were higher in MP compared to LP and FP. Music enhances the SJ performance during the different MCP. However, the music improved the SJ performance (the first test) only following warm-up in all MCP. In conclusion, listening to music during warm-up could be beneficial for short-term exercise performance in all MCP, but the potential effect of the music on physical performance vanishes over time.