FUNCTIONAL EXERCISE

The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a widely-used submaximal field walking test used to evaluate functional exercise capacity. It assesses the distance an individual can walk on a flat, hard surface in six minutes and the final distance is recorded in meters. This study was aimed to investigate changes in oxidative stress marker levels in young adult males of different genotypes post functional exercise at the University of Benin. Forty-four (44) healthy young adult males aged 18-29 years were recruited for this study. Oxidative stress arises from an imbalance between elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and insufficient antioxidant defenses Oxidative stress marker levels were measured pre and post-test. The analysis was done at the chemical pathology laboratory of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. The statistical analysis was done using Graph Pad Prism statistical package Version 8.1. The standard error of mean (SEM) was used in tables and graphs to display the results. The dependent and independent variable means were compared using the student t-test. P<0.05 was accepted as significant. The results showed that there was no significant change in the oxidative stress marker levels relative to genotype.

One well established measures of functional ability and quality of life is the ability to walk. The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a simple, low-tech, safe and well established, self-paced assessment tool to quantify functional exercise capacity in adults. The test is self-paced, with standardized instructions and encouragement being given as patients walk as far as possible for about six minutes through a flat corridor. The final distance is recorded in meters. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of functional exercise on cortisol levels in healthy adult males at the University of Benin. Forty-five (45) healthy adult males aged 18-29 years were recruited for this study. A straight hallway was used at the University of Benin, Physiology Department. The hallway was measured using a measuring tape to mark out 30m and calibrated at intervals of 3m. Two small cones were placed at both ends on the 30m mark to indicate the turnaround points.The subjects' Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated before the test. The pre and post-test vitals were measured and recorded. The Subjects walked back and forth the cones on the 30m hallway and the number of laps walked was counted, recorded and then multiplied by 60 meters to get the total number of meters walked. A 5ml syringe was used for blood collection from the subjects, after collection, the vacutainer tube (plain bottle) was used to collect, store and transport blood samples for laboratory testing. Cortisol levels were measured pre and post-test. The analysis was done at the chemical pathology laboratory of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. A CORTISOL ELISA TEST KIT was used for the assessment of the cortisol level test. The statistical analysis was done using Graph Pad Prism statistical package Version 8.1. The standard error of mean (SEM) was used in graphs to display the results.The dependent and independent variable means were compared using the student t-test. P<0.05 was accepted as significant. The results showed that there was no significant change in cortisol levels before and after the six minute walk test and there was a weak negative correlation between distance covered and blood cortisol level. Furthermore, individual stress response profiles, genetic and hormonal fluctuations can all affect how much cortisol an individual produces in response to various stressors. The cortisol response to exercises intensities are influenced by various factors such as age, gender, time of day and level of physical activity