The effects of acute moderate intensity training on hematological parameters in elite para-badminton athletes

Background and objective: The knowledge on the effects of para-badminton sport on physiological parameters is relatively limited in the literature. This study aims to examine the effects of moderate-intensity badminton training on the hematological parameters of elite para-badminton athletes. Methods: A total of 12 para-badminton athletes, 6 female and 6 male, with international competitive experience in the Turkish Para-Badminton National Team, participated in the study. A 90-minute badminton training was applied to the athletes for their technical and tactical development. A 4 mL blood sample was taken before and after the training. Hematological parameters were analyzed from these blood samples. White blood cells, red blood cells, platelets count, and their particular subgroups such as hemoglobin, hematocrit, granulocytes, and lymphocytes were examined as the hematological parameters in this study. Results: The findings revealed that the female para-badminton athletes exhibited a significant increase in white blood cells, granulocytes percentage, red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets values after training compared to pre-training. It was determined that there were significant increases in white blood cells, granulocytes, granulocytes percentage, red blood cells, and hematocrit values for male para-badminton athletes after training compared to pre-training, and significant decreases in lymphocytes percentage values. Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study showed that a single 90-minute moderate-intensity badminton training session leads to physiological changes on the blood parameters of elite para-badminton athletes. These changes, which differ by gender, can affect the health and performance of the athlete.