[Influence of acute exertion and physical training on platelet function of the coronary patient]

The platelet function, fibrinogen level, and the various lipid fractions were studied in 17 coronary patients before, during and after a maximal effort, both before and after a three month period of physical training. Exercise capacity increased by 26%, stickiness went down by 27% at rest (p less than 0.025) and 42% on exercise (p less than 005), and aggregation varied (according to the method used) between 24%, 25% and 2% at rest (p less than 0.001) and 36%, 43% and 32% on exercise (p less than 0.001); the levels of fibrinogen and the lipid fraction remained unchanged. A patient whose exercise capacity was not increased by training had no alteration in platelet aggregation. According to this small series, physical training has an effect similar to that of acetyl salicyclic acid. The possible significance of these results is discussed.