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Background: Intermittent pneumatic compression is a non-invasive therapeutic technique that has been gaining popularity in recent years due to its potential use in many areas of medicine. It can be successfully used alone or in combination with other therapeutic methods. The aim of this study was to investigate whether and how a series of pressotherapy treatments on the lower limbs affects the rheological properties of blood (blood count, red blood cell deformability and aggregation, and blood viscosity), lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein), and renal profile (urea, creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate) in young, healthy women. Methods: The study group consisted of 15 healthy women aged 20–26 (22.5 ± 1.5), without chronic diseases and not practicing competitive sports. The participants underwent a series of 10 lower limb pressotherapy treatments. A single treatment lasted 30 min and each time the pressure used during the treatment was individually selected according to the participants' preference. The first blood test was performed a week before the treatments; the second on the day of the start of treatment, but before the pneumatic massage; the third after the completed series of pressotherapy treatments; and the fourth a week after the completed series of treatments. Results: In the conducted study, the analysis of the values of the complete blood count showed the following: a significant decrease in red blood cell count, hemoglobin, average hemoglobin concentration in erythrocytes, average red blood cell volume, average hemoglobin mass in red blood cells; a significant increase in average red blood cell volume; and an average hemoglobin mass in red blood cells. The analysis of the values of rheological parameters showed the following: a significant decrease in elongation indices 0.58, 1.13, 4.24, 15.95, 30.94, and 60.00; blood viscosity; the aggregation index; the degree of complete aggregation; and a significant increase in elongation indices 0.30, 1.13, 8.23, 30.94, 60.00; blood viscosity; the degree of complete aggregation; and the half-time of complete aggregation. A decrease in the concentration of low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein fractions was also noted. No significant changes were found in the values of total cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as in renal profile elements. Conclusions: The application of a series of 10 lower limb pressotherapy treatments has a beneficial effect, with a decrease in blood viscosity and the aggregation index, and an increase in the elongation index at shear stress from 0.30 [Pa] to 8.23 [Pa] in young, healthy women. A series of 10 lower limb pressotherapy treatments may affect the decrease in the values at high shear stress forces of 30.95 [Pa] and from 60.00 [Pa] in young, healthy women. The use of a series of 10 lower limb pressotherapy treatments increases the values of hemoglobin, the average red blood cell volume, and the average hemoglobin concentration in erythrocytes, and also reduces the values of red blood cell count, average hemoglobin mass in red blood cells and low-density lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins in young, healthy women (it also does not cause any adverse changes). The use of pressotherapy on the lower limbs seems to be an effective element of the multi-component prevention of circulatory system diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Physical activity induces numerous modifications in the morphological, rheological, and biochemical properties of blood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in blood rheological and biochemical indicators among runners. Also, we assessed how the rheological and biochemical properties of blood in people who practised running characterised the range and direction of exercise modifications and allowed for the diagnosis of transient adaptive effects. Methods: This study included 12 athletes who regularly trained in middle- and long-distance running (6–8 times a week) and presented a high sports level (national and international class). The athletes performed a 30 min warm-up consisting of 15 min of jogging and exercises. After a 10 min rest, they completed a 3 km run with submaximal effort. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after the effort. Results: No statistically significant changes were revealed in erythrocyte, leukocyte, platelet, iron, ferritin, transferrin, erythropoietin, or C-reactive protein concentrations in the examined runners. The same applied to the elongation index at a shear stress within the range of 0.30–60.00 Pa, amplitude and total extent of aggregation, aggregation half-life, and aggregation index. A significant increase (within standard limits) was only observed in fibrinogen concentration after running. Conclusions: The lack of post-exercise changes in blood rheological and biochemical indicators in the investigated runners points at an efficient haemorheological system. This, in turn, reflects well-executed training and remarkably well-trained adaptive systems responsible for regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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