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Variations in hemostatic parameters after near-maximum exercise and specific tests in athletes
F Cerneca1, G Crocetti, A Gombacci
1Laboratory of Analysis IRCCS Burlo Garofalo, Trieste, Italy.
Summary
Different exercise types impact blood clotting differently. Aerobic athletes show altered anticoagulant levels, while weightlifters experience minimal changes, suggesting prolonged exercise benefits cardiovascular health.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Hematology
- Physiology
Background:
- Blood coagulation is influenced by the type of physical exercise undertaken.
- Previous studies indicate variations in clotting states based on exercise intensity and duration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of near-maximum, standardized exercise on the coagulation system in athletes of different disciplines (rowing, marathon running, weightlifting) and healthy controls.
- To compare the coagulation profiles of athletes engaged in cardiovascularly demanding sports versus sedentary individuals.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study involving 7 rowers, 12 marathon runners, 7 weightlifters, and 7 healthy controls.
- Standardized near-maximum exercise tests were administered, with monitoring of physiological parameters (heart rate, VO2 max, lactate).
- Coagulation tests included prothrombin time (PT), partial activated thromboplastin time (PTT), fibrinogen (FBG), antithrombin III (ATIII), protein C (PC), protein S (PS), prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2), tissue activator of plasminogen (t-PA), and its inhibitor (PAI) before and after exercise.
Main Results:
- Rowers exhibited low basal protein C (PC) levels, which decreased post-exercise. Marathon runners showed higher basal activities of ATIII, PC, and PS compared to rowers.
- Weightlifters demonstrated a reduction in tissue activator of plasminogen (t-PA) and an increase in its inhibitor (PAI) post-exercise.
- Only controls showed increased fibrinolytic activity and circulating anticoagulants after exercise, suggesting aerobic exercise primarily influences inhibitors.
Conclusions:
- Prolonged physical exertion can activate beneficial cardiovascular mechanisms.
- While physical activity generally benefits the coagulation system, particularly fibrinolysis, specific athletes may be at risk for thrombosis.
- Recommendations include screening weightlifters with cardiovascular history for fibrinolytic activity and rowers with a family history of thromboembolism for protein C levels.