High-intensity Interval Training Improves Mitochondrial Function and Suppresses Thrombin Generation in Platelets undergoing Hypoxic Stress

This study elucidates how high-intensity interval training (HIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MCT) affect mitochondrial functionality and thrombin generation (TG) in platelets following hypoxic exercise (HE, 100 W under 12% O₂ for 30 min). Forty-five healthy sedentary males were randomized to engage either HIT (3-minute intervals at 40% and 80%VO_2max, n = 15) or MCT (sustained 60%VO_2max, n = 15) for 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week for 6 weeks, or to a control group (CTL, n = 15) that did not received exercise intervention. Before the intervention, HE (i) reduced the ATP-linked O₂ consumption rate (OCR), the reserve capacity of OCR, and the activities of citrate synthase (CS) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), (ii) lowered mitochondrial membrane potential (MP) and elevated matrix oxidant burden (MOB) in platelets, and (iii) enhanced dynamic TG in platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which responses were attenuated by pretreating PRP with oligomycin or rotenone/antimycin A. However, 6-week HIT (i) increased mitochondrial OCR capacity with enhancing the CS and SDH activities and (ii) heightened mitochondrial MP with depressing MOB in platelets following HE, compared to those of MCT and CTL. Moreover, the HIT suppressed the HE-promoted dynamic TG in PRP. Hence, we conclude that the HIT simultaneously improves mitochondrial bioenergetics and suppresses dynamic TG in platelets undergoing hypoxia.