Semin Thromb Hemost 2018; 44(08): 787-795
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1675381
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Impact of Exercise on Hemophilia

Eva Zetterberg
1   Department of Translational Medicine, Malmö Centre for Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
,
Marcus Ljungkvist
1   Department of Translational Medicine, Malmö Centre for Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
,
Maryem Salim
1   Department of Translational Medicine, Malmö Centre for Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
24 October 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Sports and strenuous exercise have traditionally been discouraged for people with hemophilia (PWH) because of the perceived risk of bleeding. In this review, studies investigating the pros and cons of exercise are presented, and although most studies are of low validity, the randomized trials that do exist tell us that PWH benefit from exercise in terms of improved muscular function, endurance, and quality of life and that increased bleeding does not seem to be an issue. The authors also review the studies that have analyzed the current physical status of PWH compared with the general population in different countries. Finally, they review the current knowledge on the effect of exercise on specific coagulation factors as well as on global coagulation and demonstrate that exercise increases factor VIII levels in healthy persons, all persons with hemophilia B (HB) and in persons with mild and moderate hemophilia A (HA). Further, the authors did not find any evidence that the global coagulation capacity, measured with thrombin generation or thromboelastographic methods, increases after exercise in severe HA or HB.