Hemorheological responses to progressive resistance exercise training in healthy young males

Abstract

SummaryBackgroundThis study aimed to explore the effects of progressive resistance exercise training (PRET) on hemorheology.Material/MethodsExercise sessions included 1–3 sets of 8–12 repetitions at 40–60% of 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) for 3 weeks and at 75–80% of 1-RM during weeks 4–12. Red blood cell (RBC) deformability and aggregation were determined by ektacytometry, plasma and whole blood viscosities (WBV) by rotational viscometry. Lactate concentration was evaluated by an analyzer and fibrinogen was evaluated by coagulometry. Plasma total oxidant/antioxidant status was measured by colorimetry.ResultsFollowing an acute increase after exercise on the first day, RBC deformability was elevated during weeks 3 and 4 (p=0.028; p=0.034, respectively). The last exercise protocol applied in week 12 again caused an acute increase in this parameter (p=0.034). RBC aggregation was increased acutely on the first day, but decreased after that throughout the protocol (p<0.05). At weeks 4 and 12 pre-exercise measurements of WBV at standard hematocrit and plasma viscosity were decreased (p=0.05; p=0.041, respectively), while post-exercise values were increased (p=0.005; p=0.04, respectively). Post-exercise WBV at autologous hematocrit measured at week 12 was increased (p=0.01). Lactate was elevated after each exercise session (p<0.05). Fibrinogen was decreased on the third week (p<0.01), while it was increased on the 4th week (p=0.005). Plasma antioxidant status was increased at week 3 (p=0.034) and oxidative stress index was decreased at week 4 (p=0.013) after exercise.ConclusionsThe results of this study indicate that PRET may have positive effects on hemorheological parameters.

Exercise hemorheology: Classical data, recent findings and unresolved issues

“…Exercise training also induces adaptations of RBC aggregation [46] and RBC deformability [14]. Ernst et al [35] reported increased RBC deformability in athletes compared to sedentary subjects, a finding later confirmed by Smith et al [77].…”

“…Whereas acute exercise may increase blood viscosity at a given shear rate, chronic exercise (endurance or resistance exercise) usually results in a decrease [12,46,68]. Following a cessation of exercise (few hours or few days later), there is an increase in plasma volume [12] which represents a reversal of the acute hyperviscosity observed during acute exercise, resulting in an "autohemodilution" [35,36].…”

“…Following a cessation of exercise (few hours or few days later), there is an increase in plasma volume [12] which represents a reversal of the acute hyperviscosity observed during acute exercise, resulting in an "autohemodilution" [35,36]. The repetition of exercise during consecutive days leads to a chronic "autohemodilution" resulting in a low baseline hematocrit -low baseline viscosity patterns [12,35,46]. Plasma volume expansion is also responsible for the decrease of the plasma viscosity contributing to the decrease of blood viscosity [35].…”

Twelve Weeks of Combined Resistance and Aerobic Exercise Improves Cardiometabolic Biomarkers and Enhances Red Blood Cell Hemorheological Function in Obese Older Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…In the present study, a change in RBC hemorheological parameters (RBC EI_3Pa: 3.31%, RBC AI_3Pa: −4.84%) was observed after 12 weeks of combined exercise training. Regular exercise (aerobic or resistance) usually reduces blood viscosity [53,54]. Exercise training also induces the rheological adaptation of RBCs [54,55].…”

The Effect of 6-weeks Military Training on Blood Hematological Parameters in Untrained Recruits in a Military University

“…Plasma volume expansion during prolonged exercise might explain the decrease in hemoglobin while fall in RBC count could be attributed to either intravascular hemolysis from mechanical trauma [13], osmotic/oxidative damage to erythrocytes [14] or gastrointestinal bleeding [15]. This phenomenon -"sports anemia", is commonly encountered in endurance trained athletes due to the existence of a chronic dilutional state [16].…”