The Effect of 8 Weeks of Aerobic training on Hematological Indices and Respiratory Status in Pulmonary Patients After Thoracotomy Surgery

Subject Areas : Developing wellness through physical activity management

Leily kalalntary ¹ , khosro jalali dehkordi ² , farzaneh taghian ³ , mohamad omid ⁴

1 - Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad
2 -
3 - Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad
4 - Department of Pediatric Surgery, faculty of medicine ,Isfahan University of medical sciences,Isfahan,Iran

Received: 2024-11-29 Accepted : 2024-12-14 Published : 2025-05-02

Keywords: Thoracotomy, Aerobic Exercise, Hematologic Markers, Pulmonary Function, Blood Oxygen Saturation,

Abstract :

Thoracotomy is a complex surgery typically performed to treat lung diseases. This type of surgery may lead to impairments in pulmonary function and changes in hematological markers, such as decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell count. This research aims to provide new scientific evidence for incorporating aerobic exercise into rehabilitation programs following pulmonary surgeries by evaluating changes in these indicators. This semi-experimental study used a pre-test-post-test design with 24 patients who were randomly assigned to either the exercise or control group. The exercise group underwent an 8-week aerobic exercise program, while the control group received no intervention. Hematological and respiratory markers were measured at the beginning and end of the intervention period. The results of the analysis of covariance for the blood variables of the two groups are presented in Table 3. Regarding the intergroup changes for the variables, RBC (P = 0.001), HB (P = 0.004), HCT (P = 0.005), and O2 (P = 0.002), the results showed that there were significant differences between the two groups. Specifically, in the post-test, the exercise group showed greater increases in RBC, HB, HCT, and O2 compared to the control group. Aerobic exercise has a positive and significant effect on improving hematological markers and respiratory function in children after thoracotomy. These findings suggest that aerobic exercise can. Aerobic exercise has positive effects on the hematological and respiratory status of pulmonary patients after thoracotomy surgery. The findings showed that aerobic exercise is able to improve lung capacity, respiratory muscle function, and gas exchange in the lungs. These effects occurred through the stimulation of various physiological mechanisms, including nitric oxide production and improved blood flow in the lungs, increased blood oxygen saturation, and reduced systemic inflammation. In addition, aerobic exercise, by increasing mitochondrial biogenesis in muscle cells and improving the efficiency of oxygen consumption by cells, promotes exercise tolerance and reduces oxidative stress. These effects are especially important for pulmonary patients who have limitations in respiratory function and physical activity due to chronic respiratory diseases. Improving mitochondrial function not only helps reduce muscle fatigue, but also improves respiratory efficiency and, consequently, the quality of life of these patients. Aerobic exercise is particularly effective in improving the hematological status of patients, and by increasing the production of red blood cells and hemoglobin, it enhances the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. This process occurs as a result of the effects of temporary hypoxia caused by exercise and the activation of molecular factors such as HIF-1α and increased expression of the erythropoietin gene. These effects are evident in improving the function of the bone marrow and the hematological system of patients. This study emphasizes the importance of aerobic exercise in the rehabilitation of pulmonary patients after surgery. Improving blood oxygen saturation, increasing lung capacity, and improving hematological status are among the key achievements of this type of exercise, which can help improve the quality of life of patients and increase their physical abilities after surgery. 

 

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