Onofre T, Carlos R, Oliver N, Felismino A, Fialho D, Corte R,
da Silva EP, Godoy E, Bruno S

Obes Surg. 2017 Apr 7. doi: 10.1007/s11695-017-2584-y. [Epub ahead of print]

BACKGROUND: In severely obese individuals, reducing body weight induced by
bariatric surgery is able to promote a reduction in comorbidities and improve
respiratory symptoms. However, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) reflected by peak
oxygen uptake (VO2peak) may not improve in individuals who remain sedentary
post-surgery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a
physical training program on CRF and pulmonary function in obese women after
bariatric surgery, and to compare them to a control group.
METHODS: Twelve obese female candidates for bariatric surgery were evaluated in
the preoperative, 3 months postoperative (3MPO), and 6 months postoperative
(6MPO) periods through anthropometry, spirometry, and cardiopulmonary exercise
testing (CPX). In the 3MPO period, patients were divided into control group (CG,
n = 6) and intervention group (IG, n = 6). CG received only general guidelines
while IG underwent a structured and supervised physical training program
involving aerobic and resistance exercises, lasting 12 weeks.
RESULTS: All patients had a significant reduction in anthropometric measurements
and an increase in lung function after surgery, with no difference between
groups. However, only IG presented a significant increase (p < 0.05) in VO2peak and total CPX duration of 5.9 mL/kg/min (23.8%) and 4.9 min (42.9%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Applying a physical training program to a group of obese women after 3 months of bariatric surgery could promote a significant increase in CRF only in the trained group, yet also showing that bariatric surgery alone caused an improvement in the lung function of both groups.