Effects of Supervised Resistance Training on Fitness and Functional Strength in Patients Succeeding Bariatric Surgery

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) in an RT program and 8 patients (age: 44.0 ± 9.7 years, BMI: 32.7 ± 4.2 kg·m) following usual care; no group characteristics were significantly different at baseline. Changes in body weight, body composition, (Equation is included in full-text article.)(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 (Equation is included in full-text article.)(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.