Influences of acute and chronic aerobic exercise on the plasma homocysteine level.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Elevated plasma homocysteine (PH) levels have been identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The aims of this study were to investigate the influences of submaximal acute aerobic exercise and aerobic training on PH levels and lipid profiles. METHODS: 69 volunteer subjects (21.12 +/- 2.08 years) were randomized to three groups as acute, training and control groups. Examination and blood samples were collected before and immediately after exercise in the acute group and before and 6 weeks later in the training and control groups. RESULTS: A significant increase in PH concentration was recorded immediately after aerobic exercise, compared with baseline values (p = 0.001). Although, in the training group, total cholesterol (p = 0.00) and LDL cholesterol (p = 0.001) decreased significantly after training, no significant changes in PH concentration, HDL cholesterol (p = 0.087) and triglyceride (p = 194) levels were found. CONCLUSIONS: It can be said that the PH level increases following submaximal acute aerobic exercise, but does not alter after submaximal aerobic training due to training duration or intensity. Therefore, submaximal aerobic training decreases lipid profiles independent of the PH level.

The relationship between risk factors for falling and the quality of life in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Falls are one of the major health problems that effect the quality of life among older adults. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between quality of life (Short Form-12) and the risk factors of falls (balance, functional mobility, proprioception, muscle strength, flexibility and fear of falling) in older adults. METHODS: One hundred sixteen people aged 65 or older and living in the T.C. Emekli Sandigi Narlidere nursing home participated in the study. Balance (Berg Balance test), functional mobility (Timed Up and Go), proprioception (joint position sense), muscle strength (back/leg dynamometer), flexibility (sit and reach) and fear of falling (Visual Analogue Scale) were assessed as risk factors for falls. The quality of life was measured by Short Form-12 (SF-12). RESULTS: A strong positive correlation was observed between Physical Health Component Summary of SF-12, General Health Perception and balance, muscle strength. Proprioception and flexibility did not correlated with SF-12 (p > 0.05). There was negative correlation between Physical Health Component Summary of SF-12, General Health Perception and fear of falling, functional mobility (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We concluded that the risk factors for falls (balance, functional mobility, muscle strength, fear of falling) in older adults are associated with quality of life while flexibility and proprioception are not.

Physical fitness in rural children compared with urban children in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: In a crowded modern world it is vital that the promotion of sport and exercise should be compatible with environmental and public health outcomes. This study aims to investigate the effects of environmental factors, lifestyle and leisure time activities on physical fitness in rural and urban children. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study of 98 rural and 74 urban healthy children (aged 9-11 years) was conducted in Turkey. A questionnaire was used in collecting information about the children's physical activity habits and their school's facilities. The physical fitness of children was evaluated with EUROFIT test battery. RESULTS: The rural children preferred to play football and volleyball while the urban children had a tendency to prefer indoor sports. The percent of urban children not involved in any sports activity was 35%, while this rate was 30.6% for rural children. It was also found that the urban children watched TV more than the rural children (13.4 +/- 2.7 h/week, 10.9 +/- 2.7 h/week, respectively). The results showed that body mass index and skinfolds thickness were higher in the urban children (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the hip-waist ratio or the hip and waist circumference between the two groups. In cardiopulmonary and motor fitness, no difference was found between the two groups. In contrast, flexibility and muscle endurance were significantly higher in the rural children. CONCLUSION: The children living in the urban areas were more inactive and obese, which resulted in a decrease in their flexibility and muscle endurance fitness.

Age-related changes in pressure pain threshold, grip strength and touch pressure threshold in upper extremities of older adults.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hand function weakens with age in both men and women, especially after the age of 65. As the number of older people increases, more older adults may have sensorimotor impairment, which affects upper extremity (UE) performance and thus independence in the activities of daily life. The purpose of this study was to detect and evaluate the impact of age on pressure pain threshold (PPT), touch/pressure threshold and grip strength in the decades after the age of 60. METHODS: The study was carried out with the participation of older adults living in the Izmir Geriatric Centre. Older adults were subdivided into three age groups and 128 subjects (47 male, 81 female) were selected systematically as one out of every three individuals in each group (group 1: 60 to 69; group 2: 70 to 79; group 3: 80 or over). Touch/pressure threshold test, pressure pain threshold (PPT) test and grip strength measurement were performed on dominant and non-dominant hands. RESULTS: It was found out that touch/pressure thresholds increased with age, but the change was not statistically significant between the three age groups. PPT and grip strength of dominant and non-dominant hands decreased from groups 1 to 3, but analysis indicated that these declines were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that age-related sensorimotor changes are not statistically significant, a reduction is seen in sensorimotor parameters after the age of 60.

The acute effects of in-patient physiotherapy program on functional capacity in type II diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE: This study was planned to evaluate the acute effects of a short-term in-patient physiotherapy program on functional capacity in hospitalised type II diabetic patients. METHODS: Forty four hospitalised type II diabetic patients in continuing medical care at Dokuz Eylül University Hospital were included in this study. Twenty three of the 44 patients were randomised to an exercise rehabilitation group and 21 to a control group. Patients in the exercise group were assigned to an average 12.0+/-2.4 days low-intensity exercise rehabilitation program during hospitalisation. The control group did not receive any exercise advice. Before and after the exercise rehabilitation program all patients' functional capacity was evaluated by the 6 min walking test. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the main measured parameters among groups and in the 6 min walking test at baseline. At the end of the rehabilitation program, the resting heart rate (HR) decreased by 4.1% (P<0.05) in the exercise group by and 2.1% in control group. Resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased (6.2 and 2.6%) significantly in the exercise group but there were no significant changes in the control group (0.9 and 0.7%). The distance walked in the 6 min test increased significantly more in the exercise group than in the control group ( 18.0% versus 10.2%; P<0.05). Estimated VO2 max also increased more (28.6% versus 3.5%, P<0.05). Moreover, the exercise group described the 6 min walk test as easier than before exercise rehabilitation. The Borg scale did not change in the control group. CONCLUSION: Supervised in-patient exercise rehabilitation is a safe and effective intervention in type II diabetic patients, which reduces physical impairment and improves functional ability.

Evaluation of physical fitness in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare functional capacity in 30 Type 2 Diabetic patients with 30 healthy non-diabetic control subjects. METHODS: Physical fitness was evaluated using the "EUROFIT Physical Fitness Test Battery". This battery estimates body composition, cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal and motor fitness. RESULTS: Percentage of body fat (PBF) was higher in the diabetic compared with control groups (P<0.05) although body mass index (BMI) was similar. Biceps and suprailiac skinfold thickness were also greater in the diabetic group (P<0.05). The 6-min walking distance and VO(2max) were significantly lower in the diabetic group (P<0.05). The diabetic patients had lower values of the single leg balance test with eyes opened and closed. Jump-stretch, handgrip and side-bending of trunk tests were also lower in the diabetic patients. CONCLUSION: Physical functional capacity is lower in Type 2 diabetic patients than in age-matched control subjects.