Health responses of Vietnam Veterans to a 12-month exercise training programme

Abstract

Forty-nine Australian ex-servicemen who served during the Vietnam War (age 55.0 ± 4.8 yr; height 174.3 ± 6.5 cm; mass 96.5 ± 18.3 kg) volunteered for this study. All subjects had medical clearance to undertake a regular exercise programme. Resting heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP), anthropometric measures and estimated VO2max (modified Astrand) were obtained at 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of the training programme. General health was determined by questionnaire (RAND 36-item Health Survey) prior to and following the 12-month training programme. The training programme consisted of aerobic and resistance exercise, 1 to 2 days per week, as well as regular educational sessions on diet, disease and rehabilitation. Significant changes in variables were determined by repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's HSD, or a paired t-test. Thirty-two subjects (65%) completed the programme and demonstrated significant improvements (p<O.01) in resting systolic (-8%) and diastolic BP (-11%), anthropometric measures (-2 to -31%) and VO2max (+10%). Nineteen subjects completed the general health questionnaire and demonstrated significant (p<0.05) improvements in physical health/functioning (+31%) and rating of own general health (+60%). A 12-month programme of regular exercise incorporating educational sessions significantly improved the health and quality of life for Vietnam Veterans.