Effect of long-term exercise training on blood viscosity during endurance exercise at an anaerobic threshold intensity

Blood viscosity (eta (B)) is low in athletes, but the effect of exercise training on eta (B) during endurance exercise at an anaerobic threshold (AT) intensity in non-athletes is not well known, although it is known that exercise training sometimes induces the hyperviscosity syndrome. Fourteen subjects were recruited and divided into 2 groups: those who trained at an AT intensity for 30 min/day, 3 times weekly for 1 year (Group T, n=8), and sedentary subjects (Group C, n=6). The test protocol consisted of a single 30-min treadmill exercise at each individual's AT intensity, which was determined in advance. The eta (B), plasma viscosity (eta (P)), and hematocrit were measured just before and at the end of the treadmill exercise. The subjects were not allowed to drink any water before exercise. In the Group C subjects, the hematocrit and eta (P) increased significantly and the eta (B) tended to increase. However, in the Group T subjects, the hematocrit and eta (P) did not increase and the eta (B) decreased significantly. These data indicate that long-term exercise training attenuates the increase in blood viscosity during exercise.