title: Effects of rhythmic exercise performed to music on the rheological properties of blood in women over 60 years of age.
abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of motor rehabilitation, in the form of rhythmic exercise to music, on the rheological characteristics of blood in older women. The study included 30 women (65-80 years of age), and the control group was comprised of 10 women of corresponding age. Women from the experimental group were subjected to a five-month rehabilitation program, in the form of rhythmic exercise performed to music (three 30-minute sessions per week); women from the control group were not involved in any regular physical activity. Blood samples from all the women were examined for hematological, rheological, and biochemical parameters prior to the study and five months thereafter. The rehabilitation program was reflected by a significant improvement of erythrocyte count and hematocrit. Furthermore, an improvement of erythrocyte deformability was observed by lower shear stress levels, while no significant changes were noted by the higher shear stress values. The rehabilitation resulted in a marked decrease of the aggregation amplitude while no significant changes were observed in aggregation index and total aggregation half-time. Additionally, the training regimen was reflected by a significant increase in the plasma viscosity, while no significant changes in fibrinogen levels were noted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Rehabilitation, University School of Physical Education in Cracow, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marchewka
authors.affiliation: Department of Theory and Methodology of Gymnastics, University School of Physical Education in Cracow, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Filar-Mierzwa
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Rehabilitation, University School of Physical Education in Cracow, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Dąbrowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Rehabilitation, University School of Physical Education in Cracow, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Aneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Teległó
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001809:Blood Viscosity / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009146:Music; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D012212:Rheology
keywords: Elderly; exercise to music; hemorheology; rehabilitation; rhythmic exercise