The effect of short-term aerobic training on coagulation and fibrinolytic factors in sedentary healthy postmenopausal women

Abstract

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess the effect of short-term aerobic training on the fibrinolytic and coagulative factors in postmenopausal women. Study designTwenty volunteer sedentary healthy postmenopausal women (48–53 years), who entered the menopause naturally, were divided randomly into two groups: training (n=10) and control (n=10). Methods and main outcome measuresTraining consisted of 10 sessions of submaximal aerobic cycling, 35min for each session (5min warm-up, 25min aerobic training with 70% HRmax, 5min active and 15min passive recovery), 3 times a week. Coagulation and fibrinolytic factors were assessed both before and after aerobic program in both groups. ResultsFibrinogen, von Willbrand factor (vWF-Ag) antigen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity (PAI-1:Ac) and antigen (PAI-1:Ag) showed significant reduction after 10 sessions in the training group (P<0.05). Also after training, prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), tissue plasminogen activator activity (tPA:Ac) and antigen (tPA:Ag) increased (P<0.05). ConclusionIt was concluded that fibrinolytic activity on postmenopausal women could be improved by a 3-week regular submaximal training program. These changes on the hemostatic factors suggest that short-term aerobic training may prevent the decline in fibrinolytic function observed in sedentary postmenopausal women.