Physical and cardiovascular performance in cases with acromegaly after regular short-term exercise

SummaryObjective Impaired physical performance is a disturbing complication of acromegaly. We aimed to evaluate the role of regular exercise in amelioration of the impaired physical performance in acromegaly. Methods Patients with acromegaly were divided into two groups according to their participation in a prescheduled programme of exercise. Participants in the study group were exercised 3 days a week for 3 consecutive months. Exercise tolerance was evaluated by maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and time (T) taken to complete the Bruce protocol, muscle flexibility by the sit and reach test (SRT) and muscle strength by the hand grip strength test (HGST). Concomitantly, anthropometric assessment was performed using body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), skinfold measurements from 8 points, percentage body fat (PBF), fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM). Results After 3 months of exercise, VO2max and T were higher in cases that exercised than in cases that did not (P = 0·004 and P = 0·001). Over 3 months, within the exercise group, VO2max and T of the Bruce protocol increased (P = 0·003 and P = 0·004) and heart rate during warming decreased (P = 0·04). SRT increased within the exercise group after 3 months (P = 0·004). HGSRT did not change significantly (right P = 0·06 and left P = 0·2). The sum of skinfolds, BMI, WHR and LBM remained stable over the study period (P = 0·1, P = 0·08, P = 0·3 and P = 0·09). PBF decreased slightly and FM decreased significantly over 3 months (P = 0·05 and P = 0·03). Conclusion Even short-term exercise may improve impaired physical performance, muscle activity and disturbed body fat composition in acromegaly.