The effect of a single session of preparatory and specific exercises in Kung Fu on some hematological variables

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of single session of preparatory
and specific exercises in Kung fu on some hematological variables. Methods: For this reason,
eight Kong fu athletes (age, 21±0.46 years; height, 170±3.27 cm; weight, 63.75±3.62 kg) took part
in this study. Subjects were asked to perform specific exercises during 90 min (20 min warm up, 20
min leaps and rolls, 10 min push up and pull up, 30 min repetition of specific techniques and 10
min cool down). Blood samples were taken pre and immediately after exercise. Data were analyzed
by using paired t-test. Results: Significant changes were found in hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit
(HCT), red blood cell count (RBC), mean cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular (MCH) and
platelet count (PLT) (P<0.05). RBC, HGB, HCT and MCV were significantly decreased. MCH and
PLT significantly increased and non-significant changes were observed in other variables.
Conclusions: The present findings indicate that a single session of preparatory and specific
exercises can be a stimulus for changes in hematological variables. Therefore, this exercise
modality might affect on athlete's performance.