Effect of Exercise on Some Haemostatic Parameters Among Students in a Tertiary Educational Institution in Nigeria

This study investigated the effect of exercise on some haemostatic parameters among students from a tertiary institution in Nigeria. Fifty four individuals participated in this study, comprising 28 males and 26 females. Blood was collected from the participants before and after the rigorous exercise and the prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and platelets count (PLT) were analyzed using standard methodology. Results showed mean values before and after the exercise were 217.31 and 238.27 x10 9/L for female, 228.75 and 240.18 x10 9/L for male respectively (platelets counts), 14.25 and 12.08 seconds for female, 14.29 and 12.35 seconds for male respectively (prothrombin time) and 31.71 and 24.29 seconds for female and 30.62 and 23.43 seconds for male respectively (activated partial thromboplastin time). Statistically, there was significant variation (P<0.001) before and after exercise for PT, APTT, and no significant difference (P>0.05) for PLT count before and after exercise. PT and APTT showed significant decline after the exercise indicating activation of the coagulation cascade which may lead to hypercoagulability predisposing the subjects to an increased risk of cardiovascular derangement; while PLT showed no variation suggesting no risk of thrombocytopenia or thrombocytosis.