Physical activity and exercise performance in symptomatic Cambodia veterans.
BACKGROUND
Dutch (ex-)servicemen who encounter health problems since return from the 1992-3 peace operation UNTAC, commonly complain of reduced activity levels, decreases in physical fitness and aggravation of symptoms after strenuous exercise.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate these symptoms.


METHODS
A prospective study of 26 symptomatic Cambodia veterans and 26 matched controls (healthy Cambodia veterans).


METHODS
Using an actometer and diaries, both groups were followed for a 12-day baseline period prior to an incremental maximal exercise test on a bicycle ergometer, followed by 7 days of post-ergometer data.


RESULTS
During baseline, symptomatic Cambodia veterans reported more symptoms, had lower levels of physical activity and took longer periods of rest after high activity periods. Symptomatic veterans did not perceive the exercise test needing more exertion than healthy veterans did, although their physical fitness was decreased. Post-ergometer, daily observed symptoms did not aggravate in symptomatic veterans. Four days post-ergometer, actometer and daily observed activity scores were lowered in both groups. As compared to baseline, one day post-ergometer, levels of physical activity were changed in healthy veterans, but not in controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Complaints about reduced activity levels and decreases in physical fitness in symptomatic Cambodia veterans were confirmed. Post-exertion malaise was not found. The observed post-exertion effects were traced back to weekday patterns.
de Vries
M
M
Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Centre St Radboud, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. sweer015@wxs.nl
Soetekouw
P M M B
PM
Van Der Meer
J W M
JW
Folgering
H
H
Bleijenberg
G
G
D000328:Adult; D002160:Cambodia; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014728:Veterans