Haemophilia: exercise and sport

Physical exercise and sports is one of the basic foundations in the treatment of haemophilia. This article gives a brief description of the characteristics of haemophilia, and through an exhaustive literature review, the importance of the physical condition, as regards prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal lesions in the haemophilic patient, is also analysed. Haemophilia is a hereditary haematological disease, characteristic orthopaedic lesions. It affects males and has a deficiency of clotting factors which causes haemorrhages, including spontaneous (in severe patients without treatment). The most common lesions are: haemarthrosis, synovitis, muscle haematomas and haemophilic arthritis. The physical condition of the haemophilic patient, controlled by clotting factor replacement therapy, is fundamental and requires physiotherapy, physical exercise and sport. Based on the recommendations by expert committees of the World Haemophilia Foundation (WFH) and using major data bases and search strategies with key words, 756 references were obtained, of which on 74 passed the inclusion criteria. The publications were grouped by subject area, differentiating review articles, observational studies and clinical experiences, experimental studies and interventionist actions on specific parameters of physical condition. It concludes with important evidence on the recommendation of physical exercise and sport in haemophilia, the consensus on its suitability for the physical and social wellbeing of the patients and the need to increase scientific works in this respect. (C) 2010 Consell Catala de l'Esport. Generalitat de Catalunya. Published by Elsevier Espa (n) over tildea, S.L. All rights reserved.