Little effect of physical training on body composition and nutritional intake following colorectal surgery--a randomised placebo-controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
Postoperatively patients have a reduction in nutritional intake and body weight. We studied the effect of postoperative physical training on nutritional intake and body composition.


METHODS
Patients > or =60 y admitted for elective colorectal surgery were randomised to train muscular strength (group A) or to nonstrengthening exercises (group B) for 3 months. Fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM) were assessed with bioimpedance preoperatively, 7, 30, and 90 days postoperatively. Nutritional intake was registered in a subpopulation.


RESULTS
Of 119 included patients, 60 were randomised to group A and 59 to B. The changes in LBM at postoperative day 7 were a mean (s.d.) of 0.4 (2.1) kg in group A compared to -0.7 (2.0) kg in B. The difference between groups of 1.2 (0.5) kg at day 7 was statistically significant (P=0.03). At no other time was observed difference between groups in weight, LBM, or FM. The energy and protein intake rose during postoperative day 1-7 and rose further after discharge. At no time were differences between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical training had little effect on body composition following abdominal surgery. The nutritional intake in well-nourished patients did not increase by training.
Houborg
K B
KB
Department of Surgery L, Surgical Research Unit, University Hospital of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark. kbh@dadlnet.dk
Jensen
M B
MB
Hessov
Ib
I
Laurberg
S
S
D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D003107:Colorectal Surgery / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D013997:Time Factors; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology