Sports and Physical Activities in Haemophiliacs: Results of a Clinical Study and Proposal for a New Classification

Sports and physical activities have long been contraindicated for haemophiliacs, or they were restricted to a few activities such as swimming or walking. Recent progress in therapy has meant that haemophiliacs are now encouraged to participate in sports, although various guidelines have recommended that they avoid activities where risks outweigh benefits. In order to evaluate the type of sports undertaken by haemophiliacs and the benefits or risks associated with each sport, we conducted a questionnairebased study. The questionnaire was sent to 124 patients. Among the 80 patients who responded, 71 (90%) currently participated in or had previously participated in a physical activity. Among them, 56 (70%) still played a sport. Nearly all sports were cited in the answers, the most frequently played by these 56 haemophiliacs being swimming (59%), cycling (44%), walking (43%), table tennis (33%), soccer (33%) and tennis (31%). Fifty-six patients reported a benefit in doing a sport: somatic (79%), psychological (80%) or social (62%). Thirty haemophiliacs (42%) reported at least one accident or incident linked to sport. From these data and the literature, we propose a new functional classification based on the type of movement and gestures involved in the sport. This classification distinguishes eight types of sports: aquatic sports, sports involving walking or running, static sports, sports involving a gliding movement, sports with a ball, team sports, throwing or jumping, and combat sports. Recommendations adapted for haemophiliacs can be drawn from this classification, which now requires validation in larger series.