Impaired oxygen uptake efficiency slope and off-transient kinetics of pulmonary oxygen uptake in sickle cell anemia are associated with hemorheological abnormalities.

Oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) are markers of physical fitness in the general population but have never been characterized in sickle cell anemia (SCA) where hematological and hemorheological properties are severely altered. Eight SCA patients and eleven healthy subjects (CONT) performed a submaximal incremental exercise conducted until the first ventilatory threshold (VT1). OUES was calculated from the data collected during the incremental period and EPOC parameters (amplitude [A] and time constant [τ]) were calculated from the data measured during exercise recovery.

Acute moderate exercise does not further alter the autonomic nervous system activity in patients with sickle cell anemia.

A decreased global autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity and increased sympathetic activation in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) seem to worsen the clinical severity and could play a role in the pathophysiology of the disease, notably by triggering vaso-occlusive crises. Because exercise challenges the ANS activity in the general population, we sought to determine whether a short (<15 min) and progressive moderate exercise session conducted until the first ventilatory threshold had an effect on the ANS activity of a group of SCA patients and a group of healthy individuals (CONT group). Temporal and spectral analyses of the nocturnal heart rate variability were performed before and on the 3 nights following the exercise session.

Delayed beneficial effect of acute exercise on red blood cell aggregate strength in patients with sickle cell anemia.

Because of the metabolic changes induced by a physical activity, the hemorheological properties of patients with sickle cell anemia could be further impaired and increase the risks for vaso-occlusive complications. However, few studies suggest that moderate physical activity could be beneficial rather than harmful in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA). However, the definition of what can be considered as a moderate physical activity in SCA patients is imprecise.