The interactions between hemostasis and resistance training: a review

Dahan da Cunha Nascimento^1–3, Frederico Ribeiro Neto², Frederico Santos de Santana^1,2, Renato André Sousa da Silva^1,4,5, Leopoldo dos Santos-Neto^6,7, Sandor Balsamo<sup>1,2,6

1</sup>Physical Education Department, UNIEURO University Center, Brasília, DF, Brazil; ²GEPEEFS (Resistance training and Health Research Group), Brasília, DF, Brazil; ³Faculty of Physical Education, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; ⁴Center of Excellence in Medicine of Exercise (CEMEx) Brasília, DF, Brazil; ⁵Postgraduate Program on Physical Activity and Health, Catholic University of Brasília-UCB, Taguatinga DF, Brazil; ⁶Graduation Program – Medical Sciences Faculty, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; 7General Internal Medical Center – University Hospital Brasília, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil

Abstract: Physical inactivity is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is strongly associated with changes in arterial structure. Regular physical activity and exercise contributes to the prevention of coronary artery disease. Therefore, cardiovascular and resistance training improve hemostatic parameters and promote a less thrombotic blood profile. This review highlights the studies, mechanisms, and outcomes relating to the effectiveness of resistance training on the process of hemostasis. The Pubmed, Scopus, Medline, Scielo, Lilacs, Ibecs, and Cochrane databases were used to locate the original articles. Seventeen studies were found during the research process. Of these, ten articles were excluded. Those protocols using a high volume of training for young adults showed a greater fibrinolytic response, and training protocols with intensities above 80% of 1 maximum repetition showed an increased platelet activity. In subjects with coronary artery disease, just one session of resistance training resulted in improvement in the fibrinolytic system (tissue plasminogen activator) without raising potential thrombotic markers.

Keywords: resistance training, blood coagulation, fibrinolysis