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Prolonged endurance exercise and blood coagulation: a 9 month prospective study
G A Ponjee1, G M Janssen, J W van Wersch
1Diagnostic Centre SSDZ, Delft, The Netherlands.
Summary
Regular physical training can increase fibrinogen levels, especially before endurance races, but does not cause long-term blood coagulation activation in sedentary individuals.
Area of Science:
- Exercise physiology
- Hemostasis and thrombosis
Background:
- Sedentary individuals undertaking regular exercise may experience changes in blood coagulation.
- Understanding the long-term effects of exercise on hemostasis is crucial for cardiovascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term impact of a 9-month exercise program on blood coagulation markers.
- To assess changes in plasma fibrinogen, factor VIII, and von Willebrand factor in response to training and racing.
Main Methods:
- 20 sedentary males and 15 sedentary females participated in a 9-month training program with increasing intensity.
- Blood samples were collected pre-training, before 15km and 21km races, and post-race.
- Plasma levels of factor VIII coagulant activity, von Willebrand factor antigen, fibrinogen, and thrombin-antithrombin III were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Plasma fibrinogen concentration increased significantly before and after the 21km race, indicating a response to intense physical stress.
- Factor VIII coagulant activity and von Willebrand factor antigen concentration did not show significant increases during the training.
- No significant changes in plasma thrombin-antithrombin III were observed, suggesting no long-term activation of the coagulation system.
Conclusions:
- A regular, progressively intense exercise program does not lead to long-term activation of the hemostatic system in previously sedentary individuals.
- While intense exercise, like marathon running, can temporarily elevate fibrinogen levels, consistent training does not induce chronic pro-coagulant effects.