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OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the level of pain, disability, performance, and physical activity changes in patients who underwent lumbar disc hernia surgery. METHODS: This study included 31 patients who underwent lumbar disc hernia surgery in the Neurosurgery Department of Dokuz Eylul University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey over a 13-month period from April 2003 to May 2004. Changes in the patients` pain were determined using a visual analog scale, and disability changes were evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index. Total times for the following performance tests were recorded: rolling from right to left and vice versa, loaded reach, repeated sitting/standing, 50-foot walk, and 5-min walk. The Compendium of Physical Activities questionnaire was used to assess physical activity levels in a 24-hour period. The assessments were performed 2, 4, and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the pain, disability, performance, and physical activity levels 2, 4, and 6 months postoperatively (p=0.000), with the worst values at 2 months and the best at 6 months. CONCLUSION: A need exists not only to direct patients toward more active lifestyles and physical fitness, but also to use assessments to accelerate the recovery period, ensuring continuity in the postoperative period.

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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.

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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.

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