Nowadays cardiac and metabolic diseases are a matter of concern. Exercise is a valid treatment and method of prevention for not only adults, but also young subjects. Physical activity causes transient blood rheology impairment in adults. However little is known about the effects of exercise on blood flow characteristics in young subjects. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of a light aerobic exercise session on blood rheology in young subjects. Ten young subjects (aged 12-16 years) performed 1 hour of submaximal aerobic exercise (70% HRmax). Blood samples were drawn just before and after exercise. We determined blood and plasma viscosity, fibrinogen, erythrocyte deformability and aggregability. No changes in blood viscosity (p > 0.05), erythrocyte aggregation (p > 0.05) and fibrinogen (p > 0.05) were observed. Hematocrit (p = 0.025) and plasma viscosity (p = 0.018) rose with exercise, while erythrocyte elongation index lowered (p < 0.001). Plasma volume slightly reduced which may explain the lack of changes in blood viscosity. The results of the present study indicate a similar hemorheological response to submaximal exercise in both young people and adults.
Keywords: Hemorheology; submaximal exercise; youth.