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Effects of physical training and its cessation on the hemostatic system of obese children
M A Ferguson1, B Gutin, S Owens
1Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics and Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912-3710, USA.
Insights
Physical training did not significantly alter hemostatic variables in obese children. However, individuals with higher baseline adiposity and clotting factors showed greater improvements in hemostasis after training.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Cardiovascular Health
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Physical training improves hemostasis and reduces heart disease risk in adults.
- Limited data exists on physical training's impact on hemostatic function in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of a physical training program on hemostatic variables in obese children.
- To assess changes in fibrinogen, PAI-1, and D-dimer.
Main Methods:
- Obese children were randomized into two groups with alternating physical training periods.
- Hemostatic variables (fibrinogen, PAI-1, D-dimer) were measured at baseline, 4 months, and 8 months.
- Cross-over design allowed for within-subject comparisons.
Main Results:
- No significant group-by-time interactions were observed for hemostatic variables.
- A significant decrease in D-dimer was noted after 4 months of physical training when data from both groups were combined.
- Greater reductions in fibrinogen and D-dimer were associated with higher baseline adiposity and clotting factor concentrations.
- Black children showed greater D-dimer reductions than white children.
Conclusions:
- Four months of physical training did not induce significant changes in hemostatic variables in obese children.
- Individual responsiveness to physical training varied, with those having higher baseline adiposity and hemostatic factors showing greater improvements.
- Findings suggest adiposity and baseline hemostatic status influence training-induced hemostatic changes in this population.
Background:
Physical training can improve hemostatic function in adults, thereby reducing heart disease risk, but no information is available in children on whether physical training can enhance hemostatic function.
Objective:
The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of a physical training program on hemostatic variables in a biethnic group of obese children.
Design:
Children were randomly assigned to 2 groups. Group 1 participated in physical training for 4 mo and then ceased physical training for 4 mo, whereas group 2 did no physical training for the first 4 mo and then participated in physical training for 4 mo. Plasma hemostatic variables [fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), and D-dimer) were measured at months 0, 4, and 8.
Results:
Analyses of variance revealed no significant group-by-time interactions for the hemostatic variables. When data from both groups were combined there was a significant decrease in D-dimer after 4 mo of physical training (P < 0.05). Factors explaining individual differences in responsiveness to the physical training revealed that individuals with greater percentage fat before physical training showed greater reductions in fibrinogen and D-dimer, and that blacks showed greater reductions in D-dimer than whites (P < 0.05). Stepwise multiple linear regression showed that only higher prephysical training concentrations of fibrinogen, PAI-1, and D-dimer explained significant proportions of the variation in changes in these variables.
Conclusions:
In obese children, 4-mo periods of physical training did not lead to significant changes in hemostatic variables. Children with greater adiposity and concentrations of hemostatic factors before physical training showed greater reductions in hemostatic variables after physical training than did children with lesser values.