Results of a physical fitness program for a patient with severe hemophilia A

Abstract

Hemophilia is a blood clotting disorder that causes the decrease or absence of blood coagulation factors VIII or IX. This disease causes a person to bleed longer than a normal person if it is not treated. A 31-year-old male with hemophilic arthropathy in the left elbow and right ankle was evaluated. The program lasted 20 months, with aerobic and muscle strength training. The muscles involved were the pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, deltoideus, quadriceps femoris, and hamstring. The patient performed two series of 10 repetitions with 45 seconds between series. The intensity was based on the initial test of 10 maximum repetitions in accordance with the rate of perceived exertion on the Borg Scale. Aerobic exercise was performed on a horizontal stationary bike for 20 minutes. Pulse rate was registered at rest, after 10 and then 20 minutes of workout, and again after three minutes of recovery. Six months before the initiation of the fitness program the patient suffered three hemorrhages: two spontaneous in the left elbow and left ankle and one in the right leg due to a small unspecified trauma. All three hemorrhages were treated by means of clotting factors (CF’s). During the program period, the first hemorrhage treated with CF’s occurred in the left elbow by trauma after increasing the exercise load. Twelve months later, the patient had spontaneous bleeding in the same joint. The least improvement in strength was found for the triceps brachii with 33%, whereas the knee extensors improved the most with 257%. The average muscle strength increase was 121%. Monitored physical exercise is an important vehicle in treating of people with hemophilia, presenting the need for resistance training specific for hemophilic patients to prevent injuries and avoiding early wear of the musculoskeletal system. The objective of this study was to present the results of a physical activity program to prevent bleeding episodes in a person with severe hemophilia A and the prophylaxis without administering any clotting factors