Effects of lavender (lavandula angustifolia Mill.) and peppermint (Mentha cordifolia Opiz.) aromas on subjective vitality, speed, and agility

Cruz AB, Lee SE, Pagaduan JC, Kim TH
The Asian International Journal of Life Sciences, 2012


ABSTRACT:

This study investigated the influence of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) and
peppermint (Mentha cordifolia Opiz.) aromas on sport athletic performance and subjective
vitality. Ten collegiate women basketball players performed speed and agility performance
tasks under three conditions (lavender, peppermint and placebo) and subjective vitality was
tested before and after inhalation of the various scents. Results revealed that the relaxing and
pleasant scent of lavender yielded positive effects on athletic performance tasks. Furthermore,
the stimulating and pleasant aroma of peppermint significantly improved the participants’
subjective vitality. This investigation highlights the importance of lavender and peppermint
scents in enhancing performance and vitality and is the first study to assess how aromas
influence short duration performance tasks.

CITATION:

Cruz AB, Lee SE, Pagaduan JC, et al. Effects of lavender (lavandula angustifolia Mill.) and peppermint (Mentha cordifolia Opiz.)  aromas on subjective vitality, speed, and agility. The Asian International Journal of Life Sciences. 2012;21(1):31-37.


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