The Effect of Pilates Exercise with Sage Herbal Consumption on Respiratory Functions for Soccer Players

Abstract

Sage herbal is an evergreen subshrub that is native to the Mediterranean region. Recent studies have demonstrated that Salvia consumption may improve symptoms associated with lung and sinus disorders. The effect of Sage consumption on respiratory parameters in healthy athletic populations is not clear. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of Pilates training conjugated with the drinking of Sage herbal on the respiratory function of young soccer players. Method: The analysis is based on baseline measurements of 40 healthy soccer players were (age 17.48 ± 0.82y, mass 64.19±6.44 Kg, BMI 22.8 ± 2.54, Kg/M2, height 174.4±3.91 cm and competitive experience 6.81±1.24 y). The experimental group was 21 players. In contrast, the control group was 19 players. The experimental group participants consumed 60-70 ML of cold Salvia after boiling twice a day with aerobic exercises for 6-weeks. Dependent measures were taken immediately before (pretest) and after (posttest) the 6-week period and included vital capacity (VC), inspiratory vital capacity (IVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume (FEV1). Results: There were differences between pre-test and post-test values for the experimental group in all measures (p < 0.05) except FEV1/FVC and FEV1/VC (p < 0.53). For example, VC post-test values were 15% greater than pre-test values (4.88±1.15 vs 5.62± 0.72) and IVC post-test values were 14% greater than pre-test values (4.45±1.18 vs 5.06± 0.64). A similar observation was made for FVC, PEF, and FEV1 values. In Addition to, there were differences between post-tests of the experimental group and control group (p < 0.53) in VC, IVC, FVC, FEV1 PEF and MEF50. Conclusion: There are limited studies over the effect of Sage on respiratory function in athletes. The results indicate that healthy athletic soccer players who consume herbal Sage for 6-weeks improve respiratory functions as evidenced by greater VC, IVC, and FVC values during posttest than pretest. Moreover, these results are encouraging and suggest drinking the salvia officinalis may help in long aerobic activities.