Table 3 Mean changes in V˙O₂max and SF-36 scores ± SD between baseline and follow up examinations, n = 89

V˙O₂max (ml/kg/min)

1.61 ± 2.7

< 0.001

2.0 ± 2.9

< 0.001

1.24 ± 3.7

0.016

 Physical functioning

−29.7 ± 17.8

< 0.001

− 10.4 ± 19.3

< 0.001

9.0 ± 19.7

< 0.001

 Physical role functioning

9.1 ± 38.7

0.03

6.0 ± 38.6

0.148

7.5 ± 41.3

0.152

 Bodily pain

− 3.1 ± 31.9

0.361

7.3 ± 29.8

0.024

8.3 ± 29.5

0.03

 General health

8.9 ± 34.0

0.016

9.5 ± 31.3

0.006

7.2 ± 32.3

0.082

 Vitality

6.5 ± 26.0

0.022

5.3 ± 28.9

0.09

4.9 ± 27.7

0.168

 Social functioning

5.1 ± 37.4

0.205

−9.1 ± 31.5

0.009

4.8 ± 33.3

0.260

 Emotional role functioning

2.2 ± 35.8

0.555

1.3 ± 39.9

0.749

2.0 ± 35.6

0.659

 Mental health

0.2 ± 20.6

0.929

12.9 ± 23.8

< 0.001

13.3 ± 22.1

< 0.001

 Physical component summary

−3.6 ± 11.7

0.005

− 0.54 ± 11.1

0.653

2.8 ± 12.3

0.072

 Mental component summary

4.4 ± 11.8

0.001

3.7 ± 12.5

0.007

3.5 ± 11.8

0.021