Do male and female patients with chronic neck pain really have different health-related physical fitness, depression, anxiety and quality of life parameters?

AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate whole body physical fitness parameters such as maximal aerobic capacity (VO2 max), muscle strength, trunk flexibility, daily physical activity, pulmonary function, body composition, anxiety and depression, as well as other disease-related changes in patients with chronic neck pain (CNP), and to compare them with healthy controls. METHOD: Eighty patients (40 male, 40 female) with CNP and 80 (40 male, 40 female) controls were included in this study. VO2 max, handgrip and back-leg strengths, trunk flexibility, daily physical activity, pulmonary function test (PFT), body composition and pressure pain threshold (PPT) measurements were carried out. Neck disability index (NDI), Beck anxiety inventory (BAI), Beck depression inventory (BDI), Pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI), and Short-Form health survey (SF-36) questionnaires were applied to all participants. RESULTS: Handgrip and back-leg strengths and suboccipital and paraspinal-C7 PPTs and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were lower, and PSQI, BAI and BDI were higher, in female patients with CNP, compared to healthy controls; whereas, VO2 max and HRQoL were lower, and body fat percantage and PSQI were higher, in male patients with CNP, compared to healthy controls. Trunk flexibility and PFT values were not significantly different between the patients and the controls in both genders. CONCLUSION: We suggest that, on the basis of gender, consideration of not only the neck region but also whole body physical fitness, anxiety and depression parameters in patients with CNP might be helpful to the development of more benefical strategies for illness management.

Resting metabolic rate, pulmonary functions, and body composition parameters in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

PURPOSE: Several studies of school-aged children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have found a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity compared with the general population. However, the scientific literature contains insufficient evidence to establish clear conclusions on pulmonary functions, resting metabolic rate (RMR), and body composition in children with ADHD. This study therefore investigates the pulmonary functions tests (PFTs), RMR, and body composition parameters in children with ADHD and evaluates their quality of life. METHODS: Forty children with ADHD and 40 healthy controls participated in the study. The children's parents completed Conners' parent rating scale (CPRS) and the pediatric quality of life (PedsQL), and their teachers completed Conners' Teacher rating scale (CTRS). The child participants also completed the PedsQL. RMR, PFTs, and body composition parameters were investigated. RESULTS: No significant differences in age, gender, and socioeconomic level were found. All CPRS subscales, except anxiety and psychosomatic conditions, were significantly different (p < 0.05). According to the CTRS, inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and conduct problems were significantly higher in the ADHD group. The results showed that the ADHD group's quality of life is worse than the control group. Body mass index, body composition parameters, RMR, and PFTs were not statistically different between the children with ADHD and the healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies with complex designs are needed to confirm the results.

Evaluation of health-related physical fitness parameters and association analysis with depression, anxiety, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical fitness parameters (maximal aerobic capacity, muscle strength and flexibility), daily physical activity, resting metabolic rate (RMR), pulmonary function tests (PFTs), body composition, depression, anxiety and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) changes as well as the associations among these parameters in patients with fibromyalgia and to compare them with healthy controls. METHODS: Thirty-nine women with fibromyalgia and 40 controls were included in this study. Physical measurements, HRQoL questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) score were applied to all participants. RESULTS: Maximal aerobic capacity, trunk flexibility, daily step numbers, total energy expenditure, RMR and PFT values were not significantly different between the patients and the controls. Fibromyalgia patients had higher daily moderate activity times, active energy expenditure values, and BDI and BAI scores, while their lower handgrip strength and back-leg strength values and Short-form health survey (SF)-36 scores were comparable to controls. Handgrip strength and back-leg strength values showed moderately positive correlations with SF-36 scores (total, physical health, mental health) and moderately negative correlations with BDI and BAI scores in patients with fibromyalgia. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that muscle strength, HRQoL, depression and anxiety symptomatology were impaired in fibromyalgia patients compared to healthy controls. Low muscle strength is related to reduced HRQoL and increased depression and anxiety symptomatology in patients with fibromyalgia. Also we suggest that performing daily exercises, including aerobic and strength training, as part of one's lifestyle may have beneficial effects in fibromyalgia patients.

Association of obesity with rs1421085 and rs9939609 polymorphisms of FTO gene.

The aim of this study is to investigate the genetic influence of polymorphisms in fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene on a sample of obese subjects and controls. Obesity is an epidemic all over the world. Several polymorphisms in the first intron of FTO gene have been associated with common forms of human obesity. In this research rs1421085 and rs9939609 polymorphisms of FTO gene were genotyped in 190 obese patients with a BMI ≥30 kg/m(2) (Body Mass Index) and 97 healthy controls with a BMI of 18.5-24.9. Genotyping of SNPs was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Body composition was established with bioelectric impedance analysis. Waist-to-hip ratio was determined for all participants. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between obese cases and controls in terms of genotype frequencies of rs1421085 and rs9939609 polymorphisms in our study. Also there were no significant correlations between genotypes and obesity related (anthropometric-body composition) parameters (P > 0.05).

Evaluation of daily energy expenditure and health-related physical fitness parameters in patients with cholelithiasis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the daily energy expenditure; resting metabolic rate (RMR); health-related physical fitness parameters such as maximal aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and flexibility; pulmonary function tests (PFTs); and body composition and body fat distribution changes in patients with cholelithiasis, and to compare them with healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty female patients with cholelithiasis and 30 controls were included in this study. Daily physical activity was monitored using a metabolic Holter and the maximal aerobic capacity was estimated using the Astrand submaximal exercise protocol. The body composition was established with a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. RMR, PFTs, strength, flexibility, circumference, and skinfold measurements were also carried out. RESULTS: Maximal aerobic capacity, trunk flexibility, daily moderate activity duration, daily vigorous activity duration, total energy expenditure, RMR, PFT, lean body mass, adiposity, and body fat distribution values were not significantly different between the patients and the controls. The cholelithiasis patients had lower daily step numbers, handgrip strength, and back-leg strength values, whereas their higher daily sleep duration values were comparable with those of the controls. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that daily physical activity and muscle strength were impaired in female cholelithiasis patients when compared with the healthy controls. We suggest that using daily exercises, including not only aerobic but also strength training as lifestyle modifications in cholelithiasis patients, might be helpful for the development of more beneficial illness management strategies.

Association analyses of oxidative stress, aerobic capacity, daily physical activity, and body composition parameters in patients with mild to moderate COPD.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To investigate total oxidant and antioxidant status, maximal aerobic capacity, daily physical activity, pulmonary functions, and body composition changes, as well as the associations among these parameters, in patients with mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) versus healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 30 male patients newly diagnosed with COPD and 30 body mass index-matched, nonsmoker male controls. Maximal aerobic capacity, daily physical activity, total oxidant and antioxidant status, pulmonary function tests, body composition, and anthropometric parameters were measured. RESULTS: Maximal aerobic capacity and total antioxidant values were lower in patients with COPD compared to the controls. The total oxidant value, body fat percentage, and waist/hip ratio were higher in patients with COPD than in the healthy controls. There was a moderately negative correlation between the total oxidant value and the maximal aerobic capacity, while there was a moderately positive correlation between the total antioxidant values and maximal aerobic capacity in patients with COPD. CONCLUSION: Low aerobic capacity, increased oxidative stress, and adiposity are related to impaired pulmonary functions in patients with mild to moderate COPD and might have a role in the pathogenesis of COPD.

Evaluation of physical fitness parameters in patients with schizophrenia.

The aims of this study were to compare aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacities, pulmonary functions, body composition and fat distribution parameters in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls and to investigate the associations among these parameters. Sixty (30 male, 30 female) patients with schizophrenia and 60 (30 male, 30 female) healthy controls were included in the study. Maximal aerobic capacity was estimated with the Astrand submaximal exercise protocol, and anaerobic performance was determined with a Wingate test. Body composition was established with a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Pulmonary function tests, skinfold thickness and body circumference measurements were also carried out. Maximal aerobic capacity, maximal anaerobic power, anaerobic capacity and pulmonary function tests (forced vital capacity and maximal voluntary ventilation) were found to be lower in male and female schizophrenic groups as compared to the controls. Body fat percentage, waist and abdomen circumferences, and waist to hip ratio were found to be higher in female schizophrenic patients than in controls. We suggest that maximal aerobic capacity, maximal anaerobic power, and anaerobic capacity are poor in the schizophrenia patients as compared to healthy controls. Low cardiorespiratory fitness is related to reduced pulmonary function and impaired body composition in schizophrenia patients.

Do patients with mild to moderate psoriasis really have a sedentary lifestyle?

The aim of this study was to compare aerobic exercise capacity, daily physical activity, pulmonary functions, resting metabolic rate, and body composition parameters in patients with psoriasis and healthy controls. A total of 60 participants (30 [15 men, 15 women] patients with psoriasis, and 30 [15 men, 15 women] healthy controls) ranging in age from 22-57 were included in the study. Maximal aerobic capacity was determined by Astrand exercise protocol. Daily physical activity was measured with an accelerometer. Resting metabolic rate was determined with an indirect calorimeter. Pulmonary function tests were performed with a portable spirometer. Body composition was established with a bioelectric impedance analysis system. Skinfold thicknesses and body circumference measurements were carried out. Short Form 36 quality of life questionnaire was applied to all participants. In both genders, daily physical activity parameters were found to be higher in the psoriasis group compared to the control. Maximal aerobic capacity, resting metabolic rate, pulmonary function tests, body fatness, body fat distributions, and quality of life were not statistically different between patients with psoriasis and controls in males and females. We suggest that patients with psoriasis who do not have psoriatic arthritis or severe psoriasis are well in performing daily physical activities. In addition, we suggest that this lifestyle helped to prevent impairments of body fatness, body fat distributions, resting metabolic rate, pulmonary functions, and quality of life in patients with mild to moderate psoriasis.

Effects of topiramate use on body composition and resting metabolic rate in migraine patients.

Topiramate is an anticonvulsant agent effective in the prophylaxis of migraine, which also induces weight reduction by an unknown mechanism. We investigated the effect of topiramate on resting metabolic rate, anthropometric measurements, and body composition in patients with migraine independently from any intention to lose body weight. Forty patients (18-71 years old) with migraine were treated with 100 mg of topiramate/day over a period of 3 months. Anthropometric measurements, body fat proportions and resting metabolic rates of these patients were measured before and after treatment. At the end of 3 months, we detected mean 0.8 kg reduction in body weight and 0.3 kg/m(2) reduction in body mass index (BMI). Waist circumference decreased significantly (p = 0.01). Body fat ratio decreased (p = 0.016). Abdominal skinfold measurements decreased after treatment (p = 0.048); however, no difference was found in other regions (p > 0.05). We did not find a significant difference in resting metabolic rate (p > 0.05).These TPM-treated patients lost weight and had reduction in their mean BMI. It was seen that patients lost weight from body fat tissue and central area. We saw that TPM'S weight-reducing effect was independent from resting metaobolic rate. The weight-reducing effect of TPM may result from changes on the hypothalamus.

Association analyses of depression, anxiety, and physical fitness parameters in Turkish obese adults.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the associations among depression, anxiety, aerobic exercise capacity, body fat percentage, sum of skinfolds, abdomen circumference, and waist to hip ratio on the basis of body mass index (BMI) in adults. METHODS: The subjects of the study were 60 obese participants (30 women, 30 men) with BMIs over 30 kg/m{2}and 60 healthy controls (30 women, 30 men) with BMIs of 18-25 kg/m{2}. Body fat percentage was calculated from the skinfold thicknesses using the formula. Body circumference measurements were performed using a tape measure. Maximal aerobic capacity (VO(2)max) was determined by Astrand submaximal exercise protocol. Two self-reported questionnaires, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), were administered to all participants. RESULTS: BMI, body fat percentage, sum of skinfolds, abdomen circumference, and waist to hip ratio were found to be higher in obese groups as compared to the controls, while VO(2)max (ml/kg/min) values were lower in both genders. In males, BAI scores and mild-level anxiety percentage values were higher in the obese group than in the control group. There was no significant difference for BDI scores and levels between the obese and control groups in both genders. There was also no significant difference in BAI scores and levels between the obese and control groups in women. CONCLUSION: The fact that physical fitness being found poor in obese shows the existence of a condition that might constitute an increased tendency for obesity-related disorders. In addition, it was suggested that, in Turkey, attitudes toward obesity change depending on gender.

Resting metabolic rate and anthropometric measurements in male sleep apnea patients.

OBJECTIVE: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is a common sleep-related breathing disorder. Associations among Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), body habitus differences, and otorhinolaryngologic abnormality may clarify the characteristics of patients with OSAS. In order to test this hypothesis, we aimed to compare the RMR, Modified Mallampati Scores (MMS), anthropometric measurements and body composition of male OSAS patients with simple snorers and to investigate the association among these parameters. METHODS: MMS were calculated, overnight polysomnography was performed, body mass index, neck, shoulder, chest, waist, hip and abdomen circumferences, body fat amount and ratio, lean body weight, body water amount and RMR were measured for all of the patients. PATIENTS: Ninety-eight male patients with suspected OSAS were included in the study. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were diagnosed as OSAS and 47 patients were diagnosed as simple snorers. RMR, total body water, neck, shoulder and chest circumferences were significantly higher in OSAS patients than the simple snorers. The majority of the simple snorers was seen to have a MMS of stage 2 whereas OSAS patients had MMS of stages 3 and 4. AHI was significantly correlated with neck, shoulder, chest circumferences, total body water amount, MMS and RMR. Chest girth was found as the most important single predictor of sleep apnea in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the increased RMR and chest circumference might have occurred due to the condition resulting from the elevated AHI in patients with OSAS. Mallampati score should be routinely evaluated in OSAS patients.

Assessment of pulmonary functions and anthropometric measurements in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to compare pulmonary function tests of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) versus healthy women, and to investigate correlations between pulmonary function tests and anthropometric measurements of them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 31 women with PCOS and 29 controls matched for age and body mass index (BMI) were enrolled into the study. Pulmonary function tests were performed with spirometer. Body fat percentage was calculated from the skinfold thicknesses using the formula. Biacromial, chest antero-posterior and lateral diameter measurements were carried out with anthropometric set. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between patients with PCOS and healthy controls in the pulmonary function tests, body fat %, chest and abdomen region anthropometric measurements. There were moderate negative correlations only between forced expiratory volume per 1 s and BMI, abdomen circumference, body fat percentage in patients with PCOS. In the control group, however, there were moderate or strong negative correlations between anthropometric measurements (BMI, body fat percentage, abdominal circumference, chest lateral diameter) and at least three different pulmonary function tests. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the upper body anthropometry and respiratory function relations might have impaired in patients with PCOS. We think that this situation might support the increased tendency for poor health status in patients with PCOS.

The effects of exercise and zinc deficiency on some elements in rats.

The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of exercise and zinc deficiency on some elements in rats. Forty adult male Sprague-Dawley species male rats were allocated to four groups as follows: Group 1: control, Group 2: zinc-deficient, Group 3: exercise in which exercise group fed with a normal diet, Group 4: zinc-deficient exercise, exercise group fed by a zinc-deficient diet for 15 days. After the procedure ended, rats in groups 3 and 4 were exercised on the treadmill for 60 min at a speed of 6 m/min until the exhaustion. The rats were decapitated 48 h after exercise together with their controls, and blood samples were collected to determine copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P) levels. The highest Cu and Fe values in the serum were obtained in group 2 (p < 0.01). The levels of these elements in group 4 were lower than those in group 2 and higher than the levels in groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.01). Serum Mg levels did not differ significantly between groups. Group 4 had the lowest serum Ca and P levels (p < 0.01). These same parameters in Group 2 were higher than those in group 4 but significantly lower than those in groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between Ca and P levels of groups 1 and 3. The results of the study indicate that zinc deficiency adversely affects copper, iron, calcium, and phosphorus mechanisms and that these adverse effects much more marked after an effort exercise.

900 MHz electromagnetic field exposure affects qualitative and quantitative features of hippocampal pyramidal cells in the adult female rat.

The effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by mobile phones on humans hold special interest due to their use in close proximity to the brain. The current study investigated the number of pyramidal cells in the cornu ammonis (CA) of the 16-week-old female rat hippocampus following postnatal exposure to a 900 megahertz (MHz) EMF. In this study were three groups of 6 rats: control (Cont), sham exposed (Sham), and EMF exposed (EMF). EMF group rats were exposed to 900 MHz EMF (1 h/day for 28 days) in an exposure tube. Sham group was placed in the exposure tube but not exposed to EMF (1 h/day for 28 days). Cont group was not placed into the exposure tube nor were they exposed to EMF during the study period. In EMF group rats, the specific energy absorption rate (SAR) varied between 0.016 (whole body) and 2 W/kg (locally in the head). All of the rats were sacrificed at the end of the experiment and the number of pyramidal cells in the CA was estimated using the optical fractionator technique. Histopathological evaluations were made on sections of the CA region of the hippocampus. Results showed that postnatal EMF exposure caused a significant decrease of the pyramidal cell number in the CA of the EMF group (P<0.05). Additionally, cell loss can be seen in the CA region of EMF group even at qualitative observation. These results may encourage researchers to evaluate the chronic effects of 900 MHz EMF on teenagers' brains.

Aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacities in obstructive sleep apnea and associations with subcutaneous fat distributions.

Obesity is a strong risk factor for the development and progression of sleep apnea. Responses to exercise by patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are clinically relevant to reducing body weight and cardiovascular risk factors. This study aimed to clarify the aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacities and their possible relationships with other findings in patients with OSAS. Forty patients (30 males, 10 females) and 40 controls (30 males, 10 females) were enrolled in this study. Questionnaires (excessive daytime sleepiness, daytime tiredness, morning headache, waking unrefreshed, and imbalance), overnight polysomnography, indirect laryngoscopy, and aerobic and anaerobic exercise tests were performed. Triceps, subscapular, abdomen, and thigh skinfold thicknesses were measured. Subcutaneous abdominal fat (abdomen skinfold) was significantly higher in OSAS patients than in controls. Maximal anaerobic power and anaerobic capacity were not different significantly between the patients and controls. We found that aerobic capacity was significantly lower in OSAS patients than in controls. Aerobic capacity was negatively correlated with upper-body subcutaneous fat (triceps and subscapular skinfolds) but not correlated with subcutaneous abdominal fat in OSAS patients. In multivariate analyses using all patients, the apnea-hypopnea index remained a significant independent predictor of aerobic capacity after controlling for a variety of potential confounders including body mass index. Our data confirm that central obesity (subcutaneous abdominal fat) is prominent in patients with OSAS. Our results suggest that lower aerobic exercise capacity in patients with OSAS might be due to daily physical activity that is restricted by OSA itself. This study also suggests that the degree of subcutaneous abdominal fat cannot be used for predicting aerobic capacity level. We think that upper-body subcutaneous fat might be suitable for determining the physical fitness of patients with OSAS.

Body fat composition and distribution in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the present study were to compare the distribution and accumulation of body fat in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and healthy controls matched for age and body mass index (BMI), and to investigate the association between androgen levels, insulin resistance and fat distribution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one PCOS women and 29 age- and BMI-matched healthy control women were evaluated in terms of subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness determined with a skinfold caliper and body composition analyzed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Blood samples were obtained for determination of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, 17beta-estradiol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, basal prolactin, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), androstenedione, insulin and glucose levels. Insulin sensitivity was estimated by fasting glucose/insulin ratio and free androgen index (FAI) was calculated as 100 x testosterone/SHBG. Differences between means were analyzed by Student's t test or the Mann-Whitney U test according to distribution of the data. Correlation analysis was performed between the body fat distribution and parameters concerning insulin resistance and androgens. RESULTS: FAI was significantly higher in patients with PCOS compared with the control group (p = 0.001). Fasting insulin was significantly higher and fasting glucose/insulin ratio was significantly lower in the PCOS group vs. controls (p = 0.03 and 0.001, respectively). There was significantly less subcutaneous adipose tissue in the controls than the PCOS women at the triceps (p = 0.04) and subscapular region (p = 0.04). Waist-to-hip ratio of PCOS women was significantly higher than that of control subjects (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Upper-half type body fat distribution is linked with PCOS, high free testosterone levels and insulin resistance.

Resting metabolic rate and exercise capacity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the resting metabolic rate (RMR) and exercise capacity (or maximal oxygen consumption [VO2 max]) of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and central adiposity. METHOD: In a cross-sectional study, RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry and VO2 max by the Astrand test for 31 women with PCOS and 29 controls matched for age and body mass index, but with a different body fat distribution. Differences between the means were analyzed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in RMR or VO2 max values between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Central adiposity was not predictive of an altered RMR or of decreased exercise capacity in women with PCOS.

Long-term effects of mild exercise on intraocular pressure in athletes and sedentary subjects.

The long-term effects of acute submaximal exercise on intraocular pressures (IOPs) of right-and left-eyes and recovery times to basement levels of IOP in postexercise periods in sedentary and physically fit subjects were investigated. Twenty-five sedentary and 24 physically fit subjects, ranging in age 17 to 22 years, participated. Intraocular pressures were measured by a pneumotonometer. Measurements were taken in the morning at about nine (at rest) and immediately, 30 min and 2 h after acute submaximal exercise. In sedentary subjects, IOPs of both right- and left-eyes decreased immediate after exercise, but, these decreases in both eyes continued 30 min and 2 h after exercise. In physically fit subjects, IOPs of both right- and left-eyes increased immediate after exercise, but decreased after 30 min exercise compared to basement levels, and this decrease continued 2 h after exercise. Acute submaximal exercise decreased IOPs of right and left eyes over a period 2 h in sedentary and physically fit subjects. IOP reducing after exercise was different between right- and left-eyes in sedentary subjects. These results suggest that exercise can be used in ocular hypertension treatment.

Effect of acute submaximal exercise on intraocular pressure in athletes and sedentary subjects.

The existing literature is controversial regarding the relationship between physical fitness and intraocular pressure (IOP). Therefore, the effects of acute submaximal exercise on IOP were compared in athletes and sedentary subjects. Acute exercise increased IOP in male athletes, but had no effect in sedentary men. Also, it decreased IOP in sedentary women, but had no effect in female athletes. Sex and physical fitness both were significant factors influencing the changes in IOP due to exercise. These results suggest that acute dynamic exercise is useful to decrease IOP in sedentary women, but not in male athletes. These results may help glaucoma screeners.

Serum leptin concentration and anaerobic performance do not change during the menstrual cycle of young females.

OBJECTIVES: It was aimed to determine whether there was a difference in the leptin levels and short term exercise performance during the menstrual cycle of the young females who had normal menstrual cycle and no pregnancy story. SETTING AND DESIGN: Fifteen sedentary females aged 19-23 yrs were included. All had regular menstrual cycle of 28-30 days and no pregnancy story. Blood samples were taken for the analysis of serum estradiol, progesterone and leptin levels and Wingate test was applied on a Monark 818E ergometer with 75 g/kg load on the 7th, 14th and 21st cycle days, randomly. RESULTS: The differences in serum leptin levels and peak power, mean power and fatigue index during these days and the correlations between serum leptin and FSH, LH, estradiol and progesterone levels were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that performance in a short intense exercise which require high motivation is not affected by menstrual cycle and in young females with normal menstrual cycle, serum leptin concentration does not change during the cycle. Further studies constituting more standard groups, controlling food intake, timing the blood sampling, studying more days of menstrual cycle will help to obtain more accurate results.