Exercise Intervention on Young-adult Thalassemia Patients A Case Study

Authors

Viviana N. Preciado, California State University, East BayFollow
Vanessa Yingling PhD, Occidental CollegeFollow
Ellen Fung PhD, University of California, San FranciscoFollow
Jennifer Sherwood PhD, California State University, East BayFollow

Abstract

Thalassemia is a hereditary hemoglobin synthesis disorder that reduces oxygen delivery to the tissues, resulting in extreme fatigue, so that individuals live very sedentary lifestyles. Exercise is essential to improve muscle strength, cardiovascular endurance, and the ability to perform daily tasks. PURPOSE: This case study was designed to assess the effects of a 12-week home based intervention of daily aerobic and strength training exercise to improve body composition and muscle function in Thalassemia patients. METHODS: Male subjects, ages 15-40 yrs, (n=3) participating in a 12-week exercise intervention, were asked to engage in 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 3 days/week and 2 days/week of strength training exercises. Adherence was tracked using self reported daily surveys sent to the participants. Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) was used to assess fat mass, lean mass and visceral fat mass. Lower limb muscle function was assessed using the Vertical Jump (VJ) test to calculate power at take off, and with the GymAware (linear velocity transducer) in the rise phase of the Sit-to-Stand test to calculate Sit-to-Stand power (STSp). Daily Steps were tracked using a wearable activity tracker, FitBit. All data was analyzed with paired t-tests with p value of p>0.05. RESULTS: Adherence to aerobic and strength training was 105% and 145% of the physical activity suggested in the study protocol and 120% of the CDC physical activity recommendations of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. Post exercise vertical jump power values significantly increased p=0.015, but there were no differences in the STSp values p=0.322. Total body fat in grams, excluding the head, had a significant decrease of 3.64%, p=0.034. Total body fat percentage decreased by 2.44%, p=0.138, and lean mass corrected by height increased by 8.71%, p=0.185 were not significantly changed. Visceral Adipose Tissue area was not significantly lower, p=0.059, but still had a 8.62% decrease. Fitbit data tracked change in steps to be insignificant, p=0.246. CONCLUSION: Although sample size was low, exercise adherence was excellent, VJ power increased, and there was a reduction in body fat percent suggesting positive changes in body composition.

Recommended Citation

Preciado, Viviana N.; Yingling, Vanessa PhD; Fung, Ellen PhD; and Sherwood, Jennifer PhD (2025) "Exercise Intervention on Young-adult Thalassemia Patients A Case Study," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 5, Article 50.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss5/50