Blood platelet function in healthy individuals of different ages. Effects of exercise and exercise conditioning.

The influence of age, physical conditioning and physical exercise on platelet function on human being is still controversial. The aim of our study were to evaluate the effect of physical exercise on platelet activation measured by beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) levels and the number of platelets in sedentary and athlete subjects of different ages, and also to investigate the response of these parameters during the period of recover immediately after a bicycle exercise test. Our results show differences in platelet count and beta-TG levels among the experimental groups studied, in basal conditions, in response to the exercise test and during postexercise period. These results seem to indicate that regardless age, regular physical exercise diminish age negative effects on platelet aggregation.