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Blood platelet activation and increase in thrombin activity following a marathon race

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Summary

To see whether strenuous prolonged exertion increases blood platelet activation and thrombin activity in healthy well-trained men, 16 male amateur runners (mean age 31,8) were studied. A marathon race (mean time 2 h 44 min 30 s) caused a significant increase in plasma Β-thromboglobulin (Β-TG), platelet factor 4 (PF4), fibrinopetide A (FPA) and factor VIII (F VIII) activity. Sixty min after exertion Β-TG and F VIII activity were still significantly elevated. FPA continued to rise, reaching peak values 60 min after the run. 22 h after finishing the race F VIII activity was still significantly elevated. The study has demonstrated the great inter-individual variability of marathon race-induced haemostatic changes. The elevation of Β-TG varied from 42% to 156%, F VIII from 112% to 625%, and in three runners FPA reached more than 900% of its pre-exercise value. In some individuals the haemostatic changes observed could be potentially unfavourable for coronary heart disease prevention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Leistungsmedizin der Freien UniversitÄt Berlin, Forckenbeckstra\e 21, 1000, Berlin 33

    B. Heyduck

  2. Physiologisches Institut der Freien UnversitÄt Berlin, Germany

    L. Röcker

  3. Department of Sports Medicine, Medical Academy Lodz, Poland

    W. K. Drygas

Authors
  1. L. Röcker
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  2. W. K. Drygas
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  3. B. Heyduck
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Supported by Bundesinstitut für Sportwissenschaft, Köln

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Röcker, L., Drygas, W.K. & Heyduck, B. Blood platelet activation and increase in thrombin activity following a marathon race. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 55, 374–380 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00422736

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