Experimental basis of standardized specimen collection: the effect of short moderate exercise on serum K, Na, ASAT, ALAT, CK and LD

Abstract

Strenuous exercise is known to produce marked changes in many serum components. Present recommendations concerning drawing of blood for laboratory tests, therefore, allow little exercise before specimen collection. However, the effects of moderate exercise are unknown. Moderate exercise administered by bicycle ergometer (120-160 W for 15 min) to healthy persons and ambulant patients (average 107 W) induced a rapid and statistically significant effect on serum potassium, sodium, ASAT, CK and LD concentrations. However, the observed changes were largely abolished by having the patient to sit for 15 min before venipuncture. It appears to be possible to allow moderate exercise before venipuncture as long as the specimen collection procedure itself is sufficiently standardized, i.e. by specifying sitting for 15 min and no use of tourniquet.

Key Words:

• exercise test
• pre-analytical factors
• specimen collection