Abstract Aim: This study aims to compare the sleep parameters in Paralympic powerlifting athletes during days with and without training, and to analyze the relationship between the training load and sleep on the same day and the relationship between the previous night's sleep and the training load of the following day. Methods: Actigraphy was used to analyze the sleep parameters of 11 Paralympic powerlifting athletes for 14 days (7 days without and with training), whereas Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) analysis was used to assess training load. In addition, the Horne and östberg chronotype questionnaire and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were applied. Results: Athletes show morning and indifferent chronotype and low daytime sleepiness. We found that on training days, sleep onset latency (SOL) was lower (average 5.3 min faster), whereas total sleep time (TST) and sleep efficiency (SE) were higher (TST averaged 169 min and SE 7% higher) compared to non-training days. In addition, the TST of the night before the training days correlated positively with the RPE of the following day, and the training volume correlated negatively with the SE of the same day. Conclusion: Our findings show that Paralympic powerlifting training had positive effects in increasing TST and SE and decreasing SOL on training days. These results show the positive effects of this type of training in improving sleep in athletes with physical disabilities. In addition, a good night's sleep the day before training can make it possible to put more effort into the next day's training. Therefore, guiding athletes to sleep more before training with more intense loads is recommended.

ABSTRACT Studies have shown that the benefits from music can improve the welfare conditions of laboratory, pet and production animals. The study aimed to evaluate the influence of music (Antonio Lucio Vivaldi compositions) on behavior aspects (position, activity, stereotypes, social and agonistic behavior) and physiological responses (respiratory rate and rectal temperature) in gestating sows in individual cages (stage 1), and collective stalls (stage 2). 28 animals were studied, 14 belonged to music group, and 14 to the control group (without music).The respiratory rate had the lowest averages in the group with music, for example, in stage 1, time 1, values of 19.28 and 21.50 mov.min−1. In stage 2, the values found in the same time were 20.36 and 24.16, and in time 2, values of 24.37 and 27.18 mov.min−1. These findings follow in stage 2 until time 4.Behaviors position, activity, stereotypes and agonistic interaction with the researcher were also influenced by the music. We concluded from the results that music influenced the behavior of animals, providing greater relaxing and reduce stereotypes aspects related to a better welfare.