The Influence of Acute Resistance Training and Body Composition on Coagulation and Fibrinolytic Activity in Low-Risk Women

Abstract

This study explored the coagulation and fibrinolytic responses to acute resistance training in young women and aimed to determine the influence of body composition on these variables. Healthy young women aged 23+/-5 yrs participated in the study. Body fat and fat distribution were assessed using DEXA. Each subject performed 6 sets of 10 leg extension repetitions at an intensity associated with 70% of 1-repetition maximum. Markers of coagulation (TAT), fibrinolytic stimulation (tPA) and inhibition (PAI-1) were assessed before and immediately after exercise. tPA activity increased in response to acute resistance exercise (p<0.05), however, there was no change in TAT or PAI-1 activity. Percent body fat was negatively correlated to the tPA response to exercise (r=-0.44), and positively related to PAI-1 at baseline (r=0.47) and post-exercise (r=0.47), and to post-exercise TAT (r=0.44). Android/gynoid fat ratio was negatively related to post-exercise tPA (r=-0.43), positively related to PAI-1 at baseline (r=0.61) and post-exercise (r=0.62) and to post-exercise TAT (r=0.43). These physiological responses suggest women with elevated body fat may be at increased risk of an adverse thrombosis-related event both at rest and during exercise compared to leaner women.