The moderate physical exercise significantly increases von Willebrand's factor's activity and concentration in the blood

Introduction: Physical exercise causes a range of physiological changes including the release of hemeostasis proteins to blood. Among them very important is von Willebrand factor (vWf) which is involved in both platelet adhesion and coagulation cascade.Aim: The task of the study was to evaluate the effect of moderate physical exercise on plasma concentration and activity of vWf.Material and methods: The impact of physical effort on vWf′s concentration (vWf:Ag) and activity (vWf:CBA) underwent analysis in a group of 42 people (22 men and 20 women) aged 19–22, mean 20 years, SD 8 months). The effort consisted of 35 min of swimming in an indoor swimming pool.Results and discussion: An increase of both parameters after exercise was observed in whole group, reaching mean values 58% and 69%, correspondingly, SD 60%. A big difference in reaction after effort was observed between the male and female group. In the male group the scale of vWf:Ag increase was higher than in female group, with increase of the mean value from 105%, SD 26% before the effort to 189%, SD 81% after the effort. In the female group the same mean parameter changed from 92%, SD 18% before to 120%, SD 23% after exercise. These differences were reflected in similar manner in the increase in vWf:CBA activity, which was 96%, SD 24% before and 134%, SD 46% after the exercise.Conclusions: Even a moderate exercise significantly increases vWf levels and changes coagulation parameters.