Inhibition of platelet aggregability by moderate-intensity physical exercise: a randomized clinical trial in overweight men.

Abstract

It has been postulated that platelet function plays an important role in the initiation of atherosclerosis. Currently there are no definitive data on the longer-term effects of regular physical exercise on platelet function in humans. We assessed the influence of regular moderate-intensity physical exercise (brisk walking to slow jogging) on platelet aggregation in a population-based sample of middle-aged, overweight, mildly hypertensive men in eastern Finland. In this controlled study, we evaluated the net effect of exercise on platelet aggregation by studying changes in optical density and ATP release in platelet-rich plasma. A significant inhibition of secondary platelet aggregation from 27% to 36% was observed in the men taking regular exercise. These findings give new insight into the possible protective effects of exercise against the risk of ischemic heart disease. Circulation 74, No. 5, 939-944, 1986. INTERACTIONS among platelets, lipoproteins, and arterial vessel wall have been postulated to be centrally involved in the development of atherosclerosis. Increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, causing endothelial injury, together with an increased rate of LDL infiltration promote platelet aggregation. The ensuing smooth muscle cell proliferation and cholesterol accumulation together with the secretion of connective tissue matrix finally initiate the formation of atherosclerotic plaque.1 Furthermore, there is evidence of thrombosis in coronary arteries both in myocardial infarction2 and sudden cardiac ischemic death,3 possibly caused by continuous arterial microemboli.'The initial phase of thrombosis is thrombocyte aggregation, preceded by the activation of platelets.5 An increased activation of platelets has been observed in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) during physical exercise,6'7 although not consistently. Vol. 74, No. 5, November 1986 porarily increased platelet aggregation has been observed in healthy young men after both short-term9 and long-terml' strenuous running exercise. At present, no experimental data are available on the longer-term effects of physical training on platelet aggregability in humans. The overall purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of regular low-intensity physical exercise on risk factors for IHD and on platelet function in vitro. Our results demonstrate that exercise training can lower the sensitivity of platelets to the action of agonist, a potentially beneficial effect.

Combined effects of weight loss and physical activity on all-cause mortality of overweight men and women

“…Benefits to the circulatory system include influences on the lipoprotein metabolism, inflammatory markers, endothelial function and insulin resistance. [39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46] Is physical activity important among those who lose weight? Our study showed that leisure time physical activity had protective effect on all-cause mortality, which is in line with numerous other studies.…”

Patients with Alzheimer's disease have reduced activities in midlife compared with healthy control-group members

“…Physical exercise has been reported by our group to be protective against development of the disease. ** There are many beneficial effects of physical activity that may be related to reduced risk of AD: lower body weight, improved diet (including increased consumption of antioxidants and lower fat intake), improved blood pressure and cardiovascular health, as well as beneficial effects on blood clotting (25).…”

Physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, dietary content, and risk factors that cause a predisposition towards cardiovascular disease

“…Other potential benefits of such activity, which may aid in the prevention of and recovery from cardiovascular disease include increased glucose tolerance and decreased insulin sensitivity 50 , reduction in platelet aggregation 51 and plasma fibrinogenesis 52 . Such functional adaptations often fulfill a more important role than traditional risk factors proper and should, therefore, be considered in the analysis of the advantages of the regular practice of physical activity in terms of the reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular disease.…”