Abstract

A little is known about acute effect of exercise on factors regulating microcirculation. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of exercise performed with treadmill (up to VO2max recorded) on platelet function and hemorheology. Two groups were studied. The group of top athletes consisted of 20 professionally trained subjects (mean age was 26.7 years old). The normal control groups consisted of 10 sedentary healthy subjects (mean age was 21.4 years old). Blood sampling for the measurements were performed from the antecubital vein at rest and soon after the exercise. Platelet aggregability was measured by means of aggregometer using 2 micromole ADP as a inducer of platelet aggregation. Red cell deformability was determined by means of newly devised negative pressure red cell filtration system. Whole blood viscosity was measured by rotational viscometer (Wells-Brookfield microviscometer). Plasma viscosity was measured by microcapillary viscometer. The results were as follows; 1) The platelet aggregability at rest was significantly increased in controls (p<0.01), and also its rate of increase after physical exercise were prominent in controls compared with top athletes. 2) Red cell deformability at rest was improved in top athletes. 3) Whole blood viscosity at rest was lower in top athletes than that of controls. 4) Plasma viscosity was increased in both groups soon after the physical exercise. And plasma viscosity at rest was lower in top athletes than that of controls. These findings suggested that the platelet function and hemorheological factors in top athletes act as advantage for microcirculation. We conclude that the routine physical training is useful for the prevention of thrombotic tendencies. Verf.-Referat