Acute responses of platelet count and ADP-induced platelet aggregation to different high intensity interval exercise modes.

Background: Platelet activation is associated with abdominal obesity and exercise training is an important modulator of body weight.

Objective: We investigated the effects of two high intensity interval exercise (HIIE) protocols of different intensity and duration on platelet indices and platelet aggregation in overweight men.

Methods: Ten overweight men performed 6 intervals of 30s exercise at 110% of peak power output (PPO) interspersed by 3 : 30 min active recovery (1/7 protocol) at 40% of PPO and 6 intervals of 2 min exercise at 85% of PPO interspersed by 2 min active recovery (1/1 protocol) at 30% of PPO in two separate sessions. Platelet indices and platelet aggregation were measured before and immediately after both HIIEs.

Results: Platelet indices increased significantly following HIIE (P < 0.05), though, significant differences between the two protocols were only detected for platelet count, which was markedly increased following 1/1 protocol. Platelet aggregation increased significantly (P < 0.05) in response to the two HIIE protocols, with no significant difference being observed between the two protocols (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: It is concluded that HIIE leads to transient increases in markers of thrombus formation and that work to rest ratio is an important factor when investigating the changes in thrombocytosis following HIIE.