Changes in white blood cell, red blood cell and platelet parameters following short term aerobic exercise in students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria

Background: Haematological changes have been associated with physical activity (exercise) and these changes have been found to involve leucocytes, red blood cells and thrombocytes depending on variables such as the duration and intensity of the exercise. Objective: This experimental pre-post test study was designed to assess the changes in white blood cell, red blood cell and platelet parameters following short term exercise. Method: A total of 30 participants with an average age of 23.8 ± 1.98 years participated in the standard treadmill exercise (Bruce protocol) for 30 minutes on voluntary basis. Blood samples were collected from the subjects before exercise, immediately after exercise and 24 hours after exercise. Hematological parameters were analyzed using hematology auto-analyzer. Height, weight, body mass index and blood pressure of the participant were measured. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics committee of Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology and informed consent of the participants were obtained. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The platelet count significantly increased post-exercise compared to pre-exercise and decreased 24hours post-exercise compared to postexercise value. Conversely, the Platelet distribution width (PDW) significantly decreased at post-exercise compared to pre-exercise, and significantly increased at 24hours post exercise compared to post-exercise value. Moreover, there was a significant increase in Mean platelet volume (MPV) at 24hours post-exercise compared to post exercise and a significant decrease in Plateletcrit (PCT) at 24hours post-exercise compared to post-exercise. At post-exercise and 24hours post-exercise, the total lymphocyte count was significantly higher in females while the granulocyte count was significantly higher in males. Also at 24 hours post exercise the MCHC was significantly higher in females compared to males. At post-exercise, there was a significant positive correlation between BMI and MCH (r=0.512, P=0.004) and BMI and MCHC (r=0.553, P=0.003) while there was a significant negative correlation between BMI and MPV (r=-0.367, P=0.046). Conclusion: Short term exercise causes significant alterations in platelet parameters than other hematological parameters.