Effect of a short maximal physical exercise on coagulation, fibrinolysis, and complement system

In 11 healthy young subjects, the plasma concentrations of the thrombin-antithrombin III complex, fibrinopeptide A, tissue-plasminogen activator, complement fragments C3a and C4a, and histamine were measured before and after a graded maximal bicycle exercise test. The analyses were carried out 30 min before and immediately before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 30 and 60 min later. All post-exercise values were corrected for plasma volume changes, which were calculated from hematocrit and hemoglobin values. Immediately post-exercise, thrombin-antithrombin III, tissue-plasminogen activator, complement fragments C3a and C4a, and histamine were all significantly elevated (p less than 0.01), compared with the pre-exercise values; 30 and 60 min later the values normalized and significant differences from the pre-exercise values could no longer be measured. Fibrinopeptide A did not change significantly after exercise. The present results provide evidence for a simultaneous activation of coagulation, fibrinolysis, and complement system as well as for a release of histamine after a short maximal exercise.