Blood platelet activation and increase in thrombin activity following a marathon race

To see whether strenuous prolonged exertion increases blood platelet activation and thrombin activity in healthy well-trained men, 16 male amateur runners (mean age 31,8) were studied. A marathon race (mean time 2 h 44 min 30 s) caused a significant increase in plasma beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG), platelet factor 4 (PF4), fibrinopetide A (FPA) and factor VIII (F VIII) activity. Sixty min after exertion beta-TG and F VIII activity were still significantly elevated. FPA continued to rise, reaching peak values 60 min after the run. 22 h after finishing the race F VIII activity was still significantly elevated. The study has demonstrated the great inter-individual variability of marathon race-induced haemostatic changes. The elevation of beta-TG varied from 42% to 156%, F VIII from 112% to 625%, and in three runners FPA reached more than 900% of its pre-exercise value. In some individuals the haemostatic changes observed could be potentially unfavourable for coronary heart disease prevention.