Cardiovascular disease, and especially myocardial infarction, is the most common cause of death globally, and is particularly common in older individuals. Practical measures that can reduce both the prevalence and incidence of cardiovascular disease are of great value. It is well known that regular physical activity has a protective effect against the development of cardiovascular diseases such as acute myocardial infarction. It has been shown that physical activity can improve the function of the heart and blood vessels, but it is less well known how physical activity can affect the risk of formation of dangerous blood clots, and thus the risk of heart attack and stroke.
In a cross-sectional study it has been shown that a physically active lifestyle can reduce the risk of blood clot formation, but experimental evidence for the importance of a period of physical activity for the risk of blood clot formation is lacking. New methods have been set up for measuring the coagulation profile. The analyzes are performed on a blood sample and allow a thorough determination of platelet reactivity as well as an innovative measure of how the microstructure of a possible blood clot would develop. In this project, these methods is used to examine how physical activity, in the form of team sports, affects the coagulation profile of elderly men and women.
The increasing age-related risk of cardiovascular disease is associated with endothelial dysfunction and decrease in capillary density, and it has been shown that initiation of capillary growth is a successful method to treat cardiovascular disease. Therefore, this project will also investigate how a longer period of physical activity, in the form of team sports, affects capillary density and endothelial function in men and women aged 60-70 years. Both men and women will be recruited, as it is still unknown whether men and women respond differently to physical activity in relation to coagulation profile, susceptibility to blood clots and capillary density.
Age: 60-70 years
Physical activity ≤ 2 hours per week (except transportation by bike or by walking)
BMI ≤ 30
Age <60 years
Injuries that prevent the performance of team sports
Participation in other clinical projects
Smokes or has smoked within the last 10 years
Parallel
Team Sports
Other interventionThe intervention involves team sports in sports clubs in local municipalities
Control
Other interventionThe intervention involves a control condition with participants continuing their normal way of living
Changes in clot microstructure in elderly individuals after 16 weeks and 1 year of team sports in local sports clubs, respectively
Clot microstructure is measured in a rheometer using unaltered whole blood
Changes in platelet reactivity in elderly individuals after 16 weeks and 1 year of team sports in local sports clubs, respectively
Platelet reactivity is measured with Light Transmission Aggregometry using platelet rich and platelet poor plasma
Plasma concentration of coagulation factors in elderly individuals after 16 weeks and 1 year of team sports in local sports clubs, respectively
Coagulation factors II, VII, X, VIII, D-dimer, fibrinogen and thrombin
Changes in capillary density in elderly individuals after 16 weeks and 1 year of team sports in local sports clubs, respectively
Capillary density will be assessed by histochemistry
Changes in blood pressure after 16 weeks and 1 year of team sports in local sports clubs, respectively, in elderly individuals
In a subgroup, blood pressure (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure) will be measured at home with an automated blood pressure device.
Changes in maximal oxygen uptake after 16 weeks and 1 year of team sports in local sports clubs, respectively, in elderly individuals
Maximal oxygen uptake will be measured using a metabolic cart. The test protocol will be performed on a cycle ergometer using an incremental step test.
Changes in bodt composition after 16 weeks and 1 year of team sports in local sports clubs, respectively, in elderly individuals
Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is used to determine fat free mass, fat mass as well as bone mineral content. These values will be presented in absolute (g) as well as relative values (percentage)
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University of Copenhagen
Lead sponsor
Swansea University
Collaborator
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