Affiliations: [a] Department of Clinical Rehabilitation, University School of Physical Education in Cracow, Cracow, Poland | [b] Department of Theory and Methodology of Gymnastics, University School of Physical Education in Cracow, Cracow, Poland
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Katarzyna Filar-Mierzwa, MD, PhD, Department of Theory and Methodology of Gymnastics, University School of Physical Education, Al. Jana Pawła II 78, 31-571 Cracow, Poland. Tel.: +48 12 683 12 43; Fax: +48 12 683 13 00; katarzyna.filar@op.pl
Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of motor rehabilitation, in the form of rhythmic exercise to music, on the rheological characteristics of blood in older women. The study included 30 women (65–80 years of age), and the control group was comprised of 10 women of corresponding age. Women from the experimental group were subjected to a five-month rehabilitation program, in the form of rhythmic exercise performed to music (three 30-minute sessions per week); women from the control group were not involved in any regular physical activity. Blood samples from all the women were examined for hematological, rheological, and biochemical parameters prior to the study and five months thereafter. The rehabilitation program was reflected by a significant improvement of erythrocyte count and hematocrit. Furthermore, an improvement of erythrocyte deformability was observed by lower shear stress levels, while no significant changes were noted by the higher shear stress values. The rehabilitation resulted in a marked decrease of the aggregation amplitude while no significant changes were observed in aggregation index and total aggregation half-time. Additionally, the training regimen was reflected by a significant increase in the plasma viscosity, while no significant changes in fibrinogen levels were noted.
Keywords: Elderly, exercise to music, hemorheology, rehabilitation, rhythmic exercise
