EFFECT OF PHYSICAL TRAINING ON FITNESS AND FATNESS IN WOMEN WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE (SCD):

1842 Exercise recommendations for adults with SCD are vague and no studies have reported the effects of physical training (PT) in adults with SCD. We developed a PT program to determine safety and possible beneficial effects in women with SCD. Recruitment of 25 women resulted in 3 exclusions for failure to meet inclusion criteria or medical reasons. Baseline testing included: physical examination, RAND SF-36 health status survey, body composition by dual X-ray absorptiometry, peak VO2, and leg and bench press. Women were deconditioned at baseline as evidenced by a low peak VO2 (15.8 ± 1.1 ml/kg/min; mean ± SE), and high percent body fat (33.3 ± 2.8%). Monitored PT was offered 4 times/week and included 30 min of aerobic exercise and 20 min of resistance training. Only eight women (age 32.0 ± 3.4 yrs) completed 3-6 mo of PT, exercising at 74% peak HR, and returned for post-testing. Implementation of PT was feasible and did not induce acute events or worsen the overall clinical course. There was a significant (+ 24.5 kg) increase in leg strength (p = 0.007) which may enhance physical functioning in this population. Although the mean changes in peak VO2 (+0.04 ml/kg/min), arm strength (+ 3.6 kg), and % fat (−0.5%) were in favorable directions, they did not achieve significance (p>0.05). Scores on the RAND SF-36 did not change significantly. It appeared the intensity of exercise the women could maintain was insufficient to improve cardiovascular fitness or body composition in 3-6 months. Supported by NIH - (HD35063)