European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

LEVELS OF FERRITIN, PLASMA VISCOSITY AND SOME HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN SUBJECTS EXPOSED TO THREE WEEKS AEROBIC EXERCISE IN NNEWI NIGERIA

*Erhunmwunse R. U. and Agullah R. T.

ABSTRACT

Hematological changes have been associated with physical activities and these changes have been found to
involve the leucocytes, the thrombocytes and the erythrocytes and are dependent on the type, intensity and
duration of the physical activities. Most individuals indulging in sports activities are ignorant of their
haematological status and how stress affects their haematological profile. This pre-post study design evaluated the
levels of Ferritin, plasma viscosity and some haematological parameters [red blood cell count (RBC),
haemoglobin (HB), haematocrit (HCT)] in individuals exposed to 3 weeks of aerobic exercise (rope skipping). A
total of 30 male and female participants aged 18-35 years were recruited for the study using simple random
sampling method. The aerobic exercise involved skipping rope 30 minutes four times a week for three weeks
(21days). Fasting venous blood samples were collected at baseline (pre-exercise samples; day 0) and after exercise
(post-exercise samples; day 22) for determination of the levels of ferritin, plasma viscosity, RBC, HB, and HCT in
the subjects using standard methods. Structured questionnaires were also used to obtain other relevant data of the
participants including age, gender and body mass index (BMI). Results showed significant decreases in plasma
viscosity (0.73±0.17 Vs 1.08±0.15; p = <0.001); RBC (4.17±.86 Vs 4.17±.86; p = 0.0004), HCT (0.37±0.07 Vs
0.40±0.05; p = 0.0006) and serum ferritin levels (64.94±54.24 Vs 93.30±104.04; p = 0.0497) post-exercise
compared to their pre-exercise levels. However, BMI and HB level did not differ significantly compared before
and after exercise (p >0.05). These alterations may be suggestive of the body’s adaptive response in short-term
aerobic exercise rather than pathological aetiology. Further longitudinal studies with larger sample size are needed
to better understand the mechanisms behind the current findings.

Keywords: Exercise, aerobic exercise, rope skipping, plasma viscosity, haematological parameters, ferritin, body mass index.