THE EFFECT OF EXERCISE ON BLOOD PARAMETERS

Abstract

Background: Exercise induces physiological stress on the body and brings the changes in the interior milieu. The aim of present study was to observe changes induced by moderate exercise in haematological parameters of our young healthy population. Methods: This study was carried out at Department of Physiology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro. Eighty eight (88) students were included. Estimation of haemoglobin, total white blood cells count, differential leukocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and blood pressure (BP) were carried out before and after standard exercise (30 minutes jogging). Results: The mean age of the subjects was 23.32 years. In total sample before exercise the mean systolic and diastolic BP were 118.64 mm Hg and 77.59 mm Hg respectively, ESR was 10.86 mm/1^st Hr, WBC count 6390.59 /mm³, and Hb was 12.38 g%, while after exercise the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 139.55 mm Hg and 110.91 mm Hg respectively, ESR was 10.86 mm/1^st Hr, WBC count was 12488.86, and Hb was 12.37 g%. The same parameters for female subjects before and after exercise were mean systolic and diastolic BP, ESR, WBC count and Hb were 118.57 mm Hg, 77.5 mm Hg, 10.79 mm/1^st Hr, 5994.5/mm³ and 10.96 g% respectively, while after exercise the same were 139.29 mm Hg, 114.29 mm Hg, 10.79 mm/1^st Hr, 11775.36/mm³ and 10.96 g% respectively. In male subjects before exercise systolic and diastolic blood pressure, ESR, WBC count and Hb were 118.75 mm Hg, 77.75 mm Hg, 9.63 mm/1^st Hr, 7083.75/mm³ and 14.84 g% respectively. After exercise the same were 140 mm Hg, 105 mm Hg, 9.63 mm/1^st Hr, 13737.5/mm³ and 14.84 g% respectively. Conclusions: Exercise stress leads to significant increase in total white blood cell counts in both male and female subjects.