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PubMed1992

Leisure-time physical activity and aerobic fitness in African-American young adults.

This cross-sectional study identified the leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and aerobic fitness levels of 189 African-American young adult college freshmen. LTPA was measured with the Lipid Research Clinics (LRC), Godin Leisure-Time Exercise, and the College Alumnus physical activity questionnaires. The Physical Activity Index (PAI), an index of walking, stair climbing, and recreational sports participation, was obtained from the College Alumnus questionnaire. Aerobic fitness was measured indirectly with the Cooper 12-Minute Walking/Running Test. More women (82%) than men (53%) were classified as inactive (strenuous exercise or labor < 3 days/week and much less active than peers) or low active (strenuous exercise or labor < 3 days/week and as active or more active than peers) on the LRC Questionnaire. The PAI scores were moderately low in men (1,521 +/- 1,634 kcal.week-1) and very low in women (706 +/- 868 kcal.week-1). The majority of men (71%) and women (82%) were classified as 'very poor' in aerobic fitness levels. Body mass index (BMI), a measure of body fatness, was classified as 'overweight' or 'obese' for 39% of men and 37% of women (BMI = 25.9 +/- 5.7 kg/m2), reflecting inactive LTPA habits. These findings are consistent with studies showing low LTPA in middle-age African-American adults. School and community-level interventions are recommended to increase LTPA and aerobic fitness in adolescent and young adult African-Americans.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Flight crew physical fitness: a baseline analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether flight crew personnel are physically fit in comparison to published standards for the average American adult. SETTING: The study group consisted of pilots, paramedics and nurses in two similarly configured and geographically located rotor-wing air medical transport programs. METHODS: A physical fitness assessment of flight crew members was conducted. The results were compared with published standards for average adult males and females (AVG). Percentage of fat in body composition (FM%), aerobic fitness (VO2MAX), muscular endurance (ME), muscular strength (MS) and flexibility (FL) measurements were obtained using accepted testing methods. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 29 male and 21 female individuals. The following were their mean scores. Males averaged: pFAT = 19% (AVG = 20.0%); VO2MAX = 41.0 (AVG = 42.5); ME = 37.0 (AVG = 28.5); MS = 125.0 (AVG = 86.5); FL = 5.2 (AVG = 1.4); Females averaged: pFAT = 28.0% (AVG = 26.5%); VO2MAX (AVG = 34.0); ME = 27.0 (AVG = 21.0); MS = 83.0 (AVG = 76.5); FL = 4.5 (AVG = 3.4). CONCLUSION: These baseline data suggest the study population of air medical flight crew was physically fit compared to the average American adult.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Relationship between adolescent fitness and fatness and cardiovascular disease risk factors in adulthood: the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study (ACLS).

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and body fatness during adolescence and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in adulthood. METHODS: The sample was 48 participants from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study (ACLS) who had one clinical visit during adolescence (mean age = 15.8 years) and a follow-up visit during adulthood (mean age = 26.6 years). Values for treadmill time (TM), body fatness (body mass index [BMI], percent body fat [%BF], and waist circumference [WC]), traditional CVD risk factors (blood pressure [BP], fasting total cholesterol [TC], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], triglycerides [TG], and glucose), and a composite metabolic syndrome risk factor score were adjusted for age and sex. The relationships between adolescent TM and body fatness variables and adult CVD risk factors were examined by partial correlations, controlling for length of follow-up (mean = 11 years). The correlation between changes in TM and body fatness (DeltaTM and Deltabody fatness, respectively) and changes in CVD risk factors between adolescence and adulthood (DeltaCVD risk factors) were also examined. Adolescent cardiorespiratory fitness and body fatness variables also were separated into 2 categories based on the median split: low (below median) and high (above median). RESULTS: TM and body fatness variables showed moderate stability between adolescence and adulthood ( r = 0.44-0.78). Adolescent TM and DeltaTM showed moderate correlations with adult body fatness indicators (BMI, WC, and %BF, r = -0.34 to -0.47) and Deltabody fatness ( r = -0.24 to -0.46), respectively. Adolescent TM was not significantly related to traditional CVD risk factors in adulthood. Adolescent WC was significantly related to adult BP ( r = 0.33 to 0.45), and body fatness variables during adolescence were significantly related to adult TM ( r = -0.32 to -0.44). The DeltaWC was significantly related to DeltaTM ( r = -0.46) and DeltaHDL-C ( r = -0.51), and DeltaBMI was significantly related to DeltaBP ( r = 0.45) and DeltaHDL-C ( r = -0.34). Subjects with a high TM during adolescence showed lower levels of body fatness as adults, and those with high levels of WC during adolescence showed higher BP during adulthood. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a significant relationship between adolescent cardiorespiratory fitness and adult body fatness and a lack of an association between adolescent cardiorespiratory fitness and adult cholesterol, BP, and glucose levels. Adolescent body fatness is moderately related to selected adult CVD risk factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Competing impact of excess weight versus cardiorespiratory fitness on cardiovascular risk.

Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, whereas high cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is cardioprotective. This study evaluated the competing effect of weight and fitness on biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in a nationally representative sample of 2,112 adults (20 to 49 years of age; body mass index [BMI] > or =18.5 kg/m(2)) without previously diagnosed cardiovascular disease from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999 to 2002. CRF levels were assigned using age- and gender-specific reference points of estimated maximal oxygen consumption calculated from submaximal graded exercise treadmill testing. CRF was also categorized by sample-specific tertiles of maximal oxygen consumption. Weight was categorized using BMI. Fasting insulin level >12.2 mU/L, C-reactive protein level > or =3.0 mg/L, and total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein ratio (TC/HDL) >5 characterized increased cardiovascular risk. CRF and BMI were independently associated with increased fasting insulin and C-reactive protein (p <0.05). When patients with low, moderate, and high CRF were further stratified as normal, overweight, or obese, weight remained significantly associated with increased fasting insulin, C-reactive protein, and TC/HDL (p <0.001), but CRF did not. Logistic regressions evaluating increased fasting insulin, C-reactive protein, and TC/HDL demonstrated no significant differences in overweight/obese patients by CRF level after adjustment for other factors. Significant differences were present between normal-weight and overweight or obese patients regardless of fitness level. Analyses using tertiles of CRF yielded similar results. In conclusion, patients who are "fat but fit" require weight-loss interventions to improve their cardiovascular risk profiles. Future interventions should emphasize weight control, even for those with high CRF.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Enhanced bone mass and physical fitness in prepubescent footballers.

Not much is known about the osteogenic effects of sport activities before puberty. We tested the hypothesis that football (soccer) participation is associated with enhanced bone mineral content (BMC) and areal density (BMD) in prepubertal boys. One hundred four healthy white boys (9.3 +/- 0.2 years, Tanner stages I-II) participated in this study: 53 footballers and 51 controls. The footballers devoted at least 3 h per week to participation in football, while the controls did not perform in any kind of regular physical activity other than that programmed during the compulsory physical education courses. Bone variables were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The maximal leg extension isometric force in the squat position with knees bent at 90 degrees and the peak force, mean power, and height jumped during vertical jumps were assed with a force plate. Additionally, 30-m running speed, 300-m run (anaerobic capacity), and 20-m shuttle-run tests (maximal aerobic power) were also performed. Compared to the controls, the footballers attained better results in the physical fitness test and had lower body mass (-10%, P < 0.05) due to a reduced percentage of body fat (4% less, P < 0.05). The footballers exhibit enhanced trochanteric BMC (+17%, P < 0.001). Likewise, femoral and lumbar spine BMD were also greater in the football players (P </= 0.05). The femoral and lumbar BMC, and to a lower extent the BMD, were correlated with the lower limb muscle mass and the whole body lean mass. Interestingly, among all physical fitness variables, the maximal isometric force showed the highest correlation with total and regional BMC and BMD. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the 30-m running speed test, combined with the height and body mass, has predictive value for whole-body BMC (r = 0.92, P < 0.001) and BMD (r = 0.69, P < 0.001) in prepubescent boys. In summary, football participation is associated with improved physical fitness, reduced fat mass, increased lean body and BMC masses, and enhanced femoral and lumbar spine BMD in prepubertal boys. The combination of anthropometric and fitness variables may be useful to detect children with potentially reduced bone mass.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Fit of metal ceramic crowns cast in Au-1.6 wt% Ti alloy for different abutment finish line curvature.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fit of metal ceramic crowns cast in Au-1.6 wt% Ti alloy and investigate the effect of abutment finish line curvature on the fit of crowns. METHODS: Three types of finish line curvature abutments were prepared (1, 3 and 5mm-curvature). For each type of abutment, five metal ceramic crowns of the facial veneered type were fabricated, which were cast in Au-1.6 wt% Ti alloy. Used as controls, another fifteen specimens were made from a commercially available gold alloy. The fit was measured in the as-cast and after porcelain application. RESULTS: In the as-cast specimens, the greater the finish line curvature was, the larger the gaps exhibited at the mesial and distal margins of copings, compared with labial and lingual margins. The distal margin of copings for 5mm-curvature abutments showed the largest gap (35 (7) microm). After porcelain application, the greater was the finish line curvature, the larger the labial marginal gap became (mean 44, 34, 25 microm, respectively, for 5, 3, 1mm-curvature). However, there was no significant difference on marginal gaps between specimens of Au-1.6 wt% Ti alloy and control gold alloy. SIGNIFICANCE: This study indicated that the metal ceramic crowns cast in Au-1.6 wt% Ti alloy had equivalent accuracy to those that cast in control gold alloy, and the abutment finish line curvature had a significant effect on the marginal fit of metal ceramic crowns.

Crowns↗
PubMed2006

Meta-analysis of the effect of exercise interventions on fitness outcomes among adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

This review applied meta-analytic procedures to integrate primary research that examined exercise fitness outcomes among adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. We used extensive literature searching strategies to locate published and unpublished intervention studies that tested exercise interventions. We conducted meta-analytic procedures using both fixed- and random-effects models. Analyses were conducted separately for type 1 and type 2 diabetes and separately for two-group and single-group data under two assumptions about pre-post fitness outcomes association: no association and a strong positive association (0.80). Codable data were extracted from 35 reports with 1074 subjects. The type 1 diabetes overall weighted mean effect size for two-group comparisons was 0.65. For treatment group pretest versus post-test, the effect was 0.62. The effect size among adults with type 2 diabetes for two-group comparisons was 0.35. The treatment group pretest versus post-test comparison effect was 0.37. Effect sizes among control group participants were not statistically different from 0. For type 2 diabetes two-group comparisons, larger effect sizes were associated with exercise prescription, fitness testing, supervised exercise, group sessions, and recommendations for longer duration exercise sessions. HbA1c, age, body mass index, and gender distribution were unrelated to fitness outcomes.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Cardiorespiratory fitness, macronutrient intake, and the metabolic syndrome: the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the cross-sectional associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and the metabolic syndrome with adjustment for macronutrient intake from 3-day dietary records. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Women and men who had a comprehensive medical examination, including a symptom-limited maximal treadmill exercise test, and completed 3-day dietary records at the Cooper Clinic, Dallas, TX. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Metabolic syndrome as defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Analysis of variance was used to examine differences in continuous data. General linear analysis was used to examine linear trends. Mantel-Haenszel chi(2) analyses were used to examine differences in categorical data. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: After adjusting for sex and age, cardiorespiratory fitness was inversely associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (P<0.001). Adjustment for macronutrient intake and other potential confounding variables did not alter the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and prevalent metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiorespiratory fitness is inversely associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Patients should be encouraged to increase their physical activity to decrease their risk for metabolic syndrome and coronary heart disease.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of balance and physical fitness in diabetic neuropathic patients.

AIM: The main aim was to evaluate balance and physical fitness in diabetic neuropathic patients. METHODS: Sixty voluntary adults of both sexes from Kutahya, Turkey, were divided into two groups: a Type 2 diabetic neuropathic group (DG), mean age 57.6+/-3.9 (50-65; n=30); and a nondiabetic control group (CG), mean age 55.6+/-6.1 (51-64; n=30). The CG was selected to match the diabetic group characteristics, such as age, body mass, and sex. Standing on dominant and nondominant leg, functional reach and physical fitness tests were used for assessment. RESULTS: Static and dynamic standings on one leg test were significantly lower in DG (P<.01). Considering CG results, maximal balance reduction in DG was found in the dynamic test on the dominant leg with the eyes open and head rotation (63.1%) and the lowest was on the static test on dominant leg with eyes open (19.7%). The result of the functional reach test was determined to be significantly lower in DG, with 21.3% balance reduction (P<.01). In all physical fitness tests, DG made significantly lower repetitions in 1 min (P<.01). Functional reach (34 cm) and one-leg standing (42 s) test results had shown our participants' low-risk falling, considering literature studies (15 cm and 30 s). CONCLUSION: The data show that the diabetic neuropathy disturbed especially the balance on the dominant leg and decrease physical fitness. In this situation, further studies that show the difference between dominant and nondominant leg balance and new risk of falling profile in diabetic neuropathic participants are needed.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Six-month effects of the Groningen active living model (GALM) on physical activity, health and fitness outcomes in sedentary and underactive older adults aged 55-65.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects on energy expenditure, health and fitness outcomes in sedentary older adults aged 55-65 after 6-month participation in the GALM program. METHODS: In three Dutch communities, subjects from matched neighbourhoods were assigned to an intervention (n = 79) or a waiting-list control group (n = 102). The GALM program consisted of fifteen 60 min sessions once a week emphasising moderate-intensity recreational sports activities. RESULTS: The intervention group showed significant increases in energy expenditure for recreational sports activities, other leisure-time physical activity, health indicators, and perceived and performance-based fitness. Contrary to our expectations, the same increases were found for the control group. Consequently, only significant between-group differences, favouring the intervention group, were obtained for sleep, diastolic blood pressure, perceived fitness score and grip strength. CONCLUSION: The increases in energy expenditure for physical activity from the GALM program, especially for the more intensive recreational sports activities, look promising and are in line with the expected amounts necessary to improve health. Further research is needed to evaluate long-term effects of participation in the GALM program. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: These results underline that GALM can be considered successful in stimulating leisure-time physical activity and improving health and fitness in older adults.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2003

Fitness, dietary intake, and body mass index in urban Native American youth.

This study investigated correlations among physical fitness, dietary intakes, activity levels, and body mass index (BMI) for 155 urban Native American youth, ages 5 to 18 years. Heights, weights, skinfold measurements, activity level, balance times, and dietary intakes were assessed. Presidential Physical Fitness (PPF) testing was completed with 82 youth. Age groups were examined for differences in energy and macronutrient intake, sedentary activities, activity level, and PPF achievement. Pearson and Spearman rho correlations were examined among dietary intakes, fitness, balance, and activity levels. The majority of youth (63%) were at risk for overweight or already overweight, and 59% were sedentary. BMI was correlated with age and PPF achievement for all youth, and with physical activity and frequency of television viewing for youth ages 9 to 18 years. No correlation was found between dietary intake and activity level. Culturally appropriate interventions for obesity should start early, focusing on decreasing sedentary activity and increasing opportunities for fitness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Blood lipids, cardiovascular fitness, obesity, and blood pressure: the presence of potential coronary heart disease risk factors in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and compare the presence of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors among 14- and 15-year-old boys and girls. DESIGN: For this cross-sectional study of 54 subjects, a blood sample taken after subjects fasted was used to determine total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride concentrations. Dietary intake was estimated using a 24-hour recall and a 2-day food record. Height, weight, and skinfold thicknesses were measured to identify obese and severely obese subjects. Cardiovascular fitness, blood pressure, and cigarette use also were measured. TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, fitness, blood pressure, and smoking are modifiable risk factors, for CHD. SUBJECTS: Adolescents were selected by random sampling from lists of students attending public schools in two central Texas cities. Adolescents who were 14 or 15 years old; were not pregnant; and had no history of high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease were eligible to participate. STATISTICAL METHODS: Data were analyzed using Student's t and chi square tests. RESULTS: Of the subjects, 25% demonstrated two or more risk factors for CHD. A significantly higher percentage of girls than boys had a TC concentration greater than 5.2 mmol/L. Boys (n=29) had a mean fitness score that indicated a higher level of cardiovascular fitness than girls (n=25); however, the mean score for both groups was below average. CONCLUSION: Data provide support for increased interventions targeted toward lowering the risk factors for CHD and other chronic diseases in adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Motor fitness in children and adolescents with traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the test-retest reliability of selected motor fitness test items among children with severe traumatic brain injury. DESIGN: A cohort study consisting of two testing session, one week apart. SETTING: All subjects were recruited from among the former clients of a pediatric rehabilitation center. SUBJECTS: A convenience sample of 19 subjects, 13 boys and 6 girls aged 8 to 17 years, volunteered to participate. All participants had a diagnosis of a severe traumatic brain injury (X +/- SD = 5.88 +/- 1.71 on the Glascow Coma Scale), had completed a program of physical rehabilitation, and were evaluated at 4.16 +/- 2.61 years after their injury. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Performance on twelve motor fitness test items (including flexibility, agility, muscular strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, power, muscular endurance, and coordination) was measured at each of two structured evaluation sessions. RESULTS: No differences (t tests, p < or = .05) were found between the performances on the two testing sessions for any of the variables. The test-retest reliability was established via the intraclass correlation (ICC) and ranged from .84 to .98, indicating "almost perfect" agreement. CONCLUSION: The data indicate that these motor fitness testing protocols are reliable and applicable to traumatic brain injured children in a clinical setting and can thus be used by therapists to plan future interventions to improve the fitness of this clientele.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Effects of improvements of poorly fitting dentures and new dentures on patient satisfaction.

Clinicians reline or replace dentures to improve occlusion, stability, retention and facial support. They believe that well-fitting dentures will maintain supporting tissues in good health and satisfy patients by improving oral function and self-esteem. In this study, satisfaction of 21 patients with poorly fitting dentures was assessed before and after the dentures were modified to improve occlusion, vertical dimension of occlusion, and retention and stability or the dentures were replaced with new ones. More than 55% of the patients were moderately to fully satisfied with their poorly fitting dentures. Most patients perceived improvements in chewing comfort, chewing ability, eating enjoyment, food choices, security, and speech after each denture modification and with new dentures. The relative importance of the four sequential modifications could not be determined because they were made sequentially and their effects became cumulative. Chewing ability, eating enjoyment, particles under dentures, and food choices were highly correlated with chewing comfort and overall patient satisfaction. The results support the belief of many clinicians that patients benefit from relining of poorly fitting dentures or replacement with new dentures. Improvements in chewing function were perceived by most patients despite the lack of improvement in masticatory performance or masseter muscle activity with modified or new dentures. It is likely that denture wearers perceive chewing ability in terms of chewing comfort rather than ability to comminute food, an objective measure of chewing performance. The latter is not altered markedly by the clinical excellence of dentures.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2000

An alteration in arterial compliance associated with elevated aerobic fitness.

OBJECTIVE: To identify a nonpharmacologic method of enhancing arterial compliance, a correlate of atherogenesis; to determine the relationship between aerobic fitness levels and arterial compliance; and to identify a characteristic Doppler analog waveform associated with elevated levels of aerobic fitness. DESIGN: A cross-sectional design was used to compare the Doppler studies of sedentary subjects and aerobically trained subjects. The trained subjects were divided into a moderately trained group and a highly trained group. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: One hundred subjects consisting of 50 sedentary control subjects and 50 aerobically trained subjects in a university-based setting. The mean age of the total group of subjects was 36.0+/-8.6 years. Each group had an equal number of male and female subjects. Control subjects were sedentary, with normal vascular risk factor profiles and a mean aerobic capacity (maximum oxygen consumption) of 25.8+/-3.0 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1). Trained subjects were divided into a moderately trained group and a highly trained group. The mean aerobic capacity for the moderately trained group was 46.0+/-4.4 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1), and that for the highly trained group was 63.3+/-6.7 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1). A standard Doppler examination, including ankle pressure index was performed on each subject. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Arterial compliance measurements were recorded by using A-mode Doppler ultrasonography and analyzed by diastolic flow analysis. RESULTS: Control subjects had a mean arterial compliance level of 21.1%+/-2.5%. The moderately trained subjects had a mean compliance level of 34.8%+/-4.9%, and the highly trained subjects had a mean compliance level of 46.0%+/-6.7%. An analysis of variance was used for this comparison and was significant at a P value of less than .01. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that elevated aerobic fitness levels are associated with an augmentation in arterial compliance. A linear relationship existed in our data between aerobic fitness levels and arterial compliance. This study suggests that enhanced arterial compliance is another beneficial cardioprotective effect associated with aerobic training.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Heart rate variability, trait anxiety, and perceived stress among physically fit men and women.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear from prior reports whether the relationships between self-ratings of anxiety or emotional stress and parasympathetic nervous system components of heart rate variability are independent of personality and cardiorespiratory fitness. We examined those relationships in a clinical setting prior to a standardized exercise test. METHODS AND RESULTS: Heart rate variability (HRV) was measured during 5 min of supine rest among 92 healthy men (N=52) and women (N=40) who had above-average cardiorespiratory fitness as indicated by peak oxygen uptake measured during grade-incremented treadmill exercise. HRV datasets were decomposed into low-frequency (LF; 0.05-0.15 Hz) and high-frequency (HF; 0.15-0.5 Hz) components using spectral analysis. Self-ratings of trait anxiety and perceived emotional stress during the past week were also assessed. CONCLUSIONS: There was an inverse relationship between perceived emotional stress during the past week and the normalized HF component of HRV (P=0.038). This indicates a lower cardiac vagal component of HRV among men and women who perceived more stress. That relationship was independent of age, gender, trait anxiety, and cardiorespiratory fitness. It was also independent of heart rate; mean arterial blood pressure; and respiration rate, factors which can influence HRV and might be elevated among people reporting anxiety and perceived stress. We conclude that vagal modulation of heart period appears to be sensitive to the recent experience of persistent emotional stress, regardless of a person's level of physical fitness and disposition toward experiencing anxiety.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

A fitness programme for patients with chronic low back pain: 2-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effect of a supervised fitness programme on patients with chronic low back pain. The design of the study was a single blind randomised controlled trial with follow-up, by postal questionnaire, 2 years after intervention. The Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index was used as the outcome measure to assess daily activity affected by back pain. Eighty-one patients with chronic low back pain, who were referred to the physiotherapy department of a National Health Service orthopaedic hospital, were randomised to either a supervised fitness programme or a control group. Patients in the intervention group and control group were taught specific exercises to be continued at home and referred to a backschool for back care education. In addition, the intervention group attended eight sessions of a supervised fitness programme. Sixty-two patients (76%) with a mean age of 37 years, returned the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index questionnaire. Of these, 29 were in the intervention group and 31 in the control group. Patients in the intervention group demonstrated a mean reduction of 7.7% in the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index score (95% confidence interval of mean paired difference 3.9, 11.6 P < 0.001), compared with only 2.4% in the control group (95% confidence interval of mean paired difference -2.0, 6.9 P > 0.05). Between group comparisons demonstrated a statistically significant difference in disability scores between the treatment and control group (mean difference 5.8, 95% confidence interval 0.3, 11.4 P < 0.04). This study supports the current trend towards a more active treatment approach to low back pain. We have demonstrated clinical effectiveness of a fitness programme 2 years after treatment but this needs to be replicated in a larger study which should include a cost effectiveness analysis, further analysis of objective functional status and a placebo intervention group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The effect of exercise on physical fitness and quality of life in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to determine the effect of exercise on the physical fitness level and quality of life in postmenopausal women. 81 volunteer postmenopausal women who entered the menopause naturally and have been taking hormone replacement treatment (HRT) were divided randomly into two groups: exercise (n=41) and control (n=40). METHODS: Physical fitness tests and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) were used to assess physical fitness and quality of life in both groups, both before and after 6 weeks. The study group participated in an exercise programme, which was composed of sub-maximal aerobic exercises for a 6-week period 3 times a week. The statistical analyses were done by paired samples t-test and independent samples t-test. RESULTS: At the end of 6 weeks exercise period, when the two groups were compared after the exercise period, we found statistically significant differences in strength, endurance, flexibility and balance parameters in the exercise group (P<0.05). There was also a statistically significant change in the exercise group for the NHP indicating an improvement in the quality of life (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it was concluded that the fitness level and quality of life on postmenopausal women could be improved by a regular and controlled exercise programme of 6 weeks.

Exercise↗