Educazione sportiva degli emofilici mediante lo sci da fondo

The advantages of a beneficial sports routine were studied in 21 patients with hemophilia who undertook 3 activities during a week: skiiing, physiotherapy and swimming. Skiing was particularly suggested: this sport uses all the joints and can strengthen locomotor organs, particularly in hemophiliacs. Therefore hemathological anamnesis and clinical evaluation of the joints, which were most affected by the disease, were carried out both at the beginning and the end of the week. The final results show remarkable improvements in knee and ankle in most cases; positive results were obtained especially in the elbow, the function of which was shown to be better in 75% of cases. During sports the risk of hemorrhage had not increased and bleeding which occurred was treated with a single infusion of concentrate. Hemarthrosis was found especially in the joints which most often used in exercises; on the other hand these joints showed the greatest improvement at the end of the training. Prophylaxis with low doses of concentrates (5-10 U/kg) was not very effective. In conclusion skiing is a useful sport to promote activity in patients with hemophilia.