Adaptations in red blood cell indices and physical performance following bungy pump training in postmenopausal women
Yiantao Niu1,2, Monika Wiech1, Guoping Qian1
1Faculty of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland.
Objective:
The study examined the effects of a 12-week Bungy Pump Training (BPT) program on red blood cell (RBC) indices, physical performance, and anthropometric parameters in postmenopausal women (PW).
Methods:
Fifty-six PW were allocated to the BPT group (n = 30) and the Daily Activity (DA) group (n = 26). The BPT group participated in supervised 60-minute sessions three times per week for 12 weeks, while the DA group performed daily activities. RBC indices, physical performance (6-minute walk test, 6MWT), and anthropometric parameters were assessed before and after the intervention. Trial registration: Clinical Trials NCT06781541 on 17/01/2025.
Results:
A significant interaction was observed for mean corpuscular volume (p < 0.001), with an increase in the BPT group and a decrease in the DA group. Significant time effects were found for RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and 6MWT (all p < 0.05). Following the intervention, the BPT group showed reductions in RBC and hemoglobin and an improvement in 6MWT, while the DA group also demonstrated an increase in 6MWT. A significant group effect indicated greater improvement in 6MWT (BPT: p = 0.018, d = 0.42; DA: p = 0.004, d = 0.35) in the BPT group compared with the DA group. A significant between-group difference in red cell distribution width-coefficient of variation change was observed; however, within-group changes were not significant. Additionally, reductions in waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and arm circumference were observed in the BPT group.
Conclusions:
A 12-week BPT program was associated with changes in RBC indices and improvements in physical performance in PW. BPT was safe and well-tolerated, and may represent a feasible non-pharmacological strategy to support functional capacity and aspects of cardiovascular health in aging populations. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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