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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
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Leveraging Turbidity and Thromboelastography for Complementary Clot Characterization
Published on: June 4, 2020
Exercise-induced hemostatic alterations are detectable by rotation thrombelastography (ROTEM): A marathon study
Christoph Sucker1, Rainer B Zotz, Beate Senft
1Department of Hemostasis and Transfusion Medicine, Heinrich Heine University Medical Center Dusseldorf, Dusseldorf, Germany. sucker@labomed.de
Summary
Rotation thrombelastography (ROTEM) effectively detects exercise-induced hemostatic changes. Marathon runners showed shorter clotting times and firmer clots after the race, indicating ROTEM
Area of Science:
- Hemostasis and Thrombosis
- Exercise Physiology
- Diagnostic Technologies
Background:
- Rotation thrombelastography (ROTEM) is a whole blood assay for assessing hemostasis.
- Physical exercise, such as marathon running, can induce significant hemostatic alterations.
- Understanding these exercise-induced changes is crucial for interpreting hemostasis profiles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the capability of ROTEM to detect hemostatic alterations induced by strenuous physical exercise.
- To analyze changes in ROTEM parameters in healthy individuals before and after marathon running.
Main Methods:
- 33 healthy participants of the Dusseldorf Marathon 2006 were enrolled.
- Venous blood samples were collected immediately before and after the marathon.
- Samples were analyzed using a rotational thrombelastograph to determine standard ROTEM parameters.
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in mean clotting time (CT) was observed post-marathon (662.9s vs 505.6s, P=.002).
- Mean maximal clot firmness (MCF) significantly increased after the marathon (48.4mm vs 51.5mm, P=.0004).
- No statistically significant differences were found in clot formation times (CFTs) or alpha angles.
Conclusions:
- ROTEM is sensitive to exercise-induced hemostatic alterations, detecting distinct changes in a single step.
- The study highlights ROTEM's potential for assessing hemostasis following strenuous physical activity.
- Further research is needed to clarify specific parameter influences and predictive values for exercise-induced hemostatic changes.
