Abstract

Evidence to support exercise training guidelines for patients who have undergone bariatric surgery is exceedingly limited. The purpose of this preliminary study was to evaluate the feasibility of a 12-week supervised, resistance training (RT) program and its short-term effects on physical fitness and functional strength for this population. A total of 15 patients with morbid obesity who underwent bariatric surgery participated in this quasi-experimental study. Patients were divided into 2 groups: 7 patients (age: 53.6 ± 8.2 years, body mass index [BMI]: 37.7 ± 6.3 kg•m−2) in an RT program and 8 patients (age: 44.0 ± 9.7 years, BMI: 32.7 ± 4.2 kg•m−2) following usual care; no group characteristics were significantly different at baseline. Changes in body weight, body composition, VO2max (estimated, Ebbeling), flexibility (Sit-and-Reach Test), hand grip strength, and functional strength (sit-to-stand test [STS]) were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks of follow-up. Adherence to RT was 84%, and no adverse events were reported. Both groups lost a significant amount of total body and fat mass; fat-free mass did not significantly change for either group. Flexibility and hand grip strength significantly improved in both groups; however, the improvements in flexibility for the RT group were significantly greater (p = 0.040). Only the RT group exhibited significant improvements in VO2max (p = 0.025) and functional strength, STS (p = 0.002). In conclusion, supervised RT safely facilitates improvements in strength and physical functioning, increasing the patient's capacity to perform activities of daily living after bariatric surgery. Verf.-Referat