Table 4.

The number of subjects (%) with constipation or taking laxatives among the four research groups at baseline and six months follow-up (N = 172).

	Strength training (n = 41)		Functional training (n = 48)		Combined training (n = 48)		Control (n = 35)
	baseline	6 mo	baseline	6 mo	baseline	6 mo	baseline	6 mo
No. (%) of subjects with constipation*	9/41 (22)	9/41 (22)	9/48 (19)	11/48 (23)	12/48 (25)	14/48 (29)	8/35 (23)	3/35 (9)
No (%) of subjects using laxatives
- daily	4/41 (10)	5/41 (12)	8/48 (17)	5/48 (10)	8/48 (17)	9/48 (19)	9/34 (26)	5/35 (14)
- 2–3 d/wk	2/41 (5)	1/41 (2)	1/48 (2)	0/48 (0)	1/48 (2)	0/48 (0)	1/34 (3)	0/35 (0)
- weekly	1/41 (2)	2/41 (5)	0/48 (0)	2/48 (4)	2/48 (4)	1/48 (2)	0/34 (0)	1/35 (3)
- never	34/41 (83)	33/41 (80)	39/48 (81)	41/48 (85)	37/48 (77)	38/48 (79)	24/34 (71)	29/35 (83)

* Subjects were considered to be constipated if they were not taking laxatives and had two or more of the following complaints: straining, lumpy or hard stools, feeling of incomplete evacuation, fewer than three bowel movements in a week.