Effects of Physical Activity in Adults with Hemophilia: A Comparative Cross-sectional study

Physical Activity in Haemophilia

Abstract

Background: Haemophilia is a hereditary bleeding disorder frequently complicated by recurrent joint hemorrhages, leading to chronic arthropathy, functional limitation, and reduced quality of life. Although physical activity was traditionally discouraged due to bleeding concerns, emerging evidence supports its potential benefits when appropriately guided. 
Objective: To evaluate the association between regular physical activity and joint health, bleeding outcomes, and quality of life among adults with haemophilia. 
Materials and Methods: This Comparative Cross-sectional study was conducted at Dhaka CMH, Cumilla Sadar Hospital, Cumilla Medical college and Hospital and Kumudini Women’s Medical college, Tangail Bangladesh, between June and December 2025. Eighty male patients twenty-five from Cumilla Sadar, ten patients from Cumilla Medical college and Hospital and seven patients from Kumudini Women’s Medical college, Tangail and thirty-eight from Dhaka CMH with haemophilia A or B aged 18-45 years were enrolled, including 40 physically active participants and 40 age-, type-, and severity-matched sedentary controls. Physical activity was defined as ≥150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity. Outcomes included joint health scores, annual bleeding rate, and disease-specific quality-of-life scores. 
Results: Physically active participants demonstrated significantly better joint health scores compared with sedentary controls (p = 0.02). Quality-of-life scores were also significantly higher among active individuals (p = 0.01). Annual bleeding rates did not differ significantly between groups (p = 0.15), indicating no increased bleeding risk associated with regular physical activity when prophylaxis was appropriately maintained. Joint health scores showed a significant inverse association with quality of life. 
Conclusion: Regular physical activity is associated with improved joint health and quality of life in adults with hemophilia without increasing bleeding risk. These findings support individualized, rehabilitation-guided physical activity as a safe and beneficial component of comprehensive hemophilia care, particularly in resource-limited settings.

KYAMC Journal Vol. 16, No. 04, January 2026: 197-201.