Weekly Activity Maintained While Adding Training Among Post Bariatric and Obese Participants

Abstract

It is suggested that a barrier to weight loss during exercise training is associated with increased compensatory sedentary activity (CSA). While studies report a positive association between physical activity and improved weight loss in post bariatric (PB) and obese individuals, the effectiveness for the different types of physical activity interventions and CSA reported is often equivocal. PURPOSE: To evaluate if vigorous or moderate continuous exercise regimens maintain or increase energy expenditure of individuals during exercise training. METHODS: Eight PB individuals [7 female, 1 male; Body Mass Index (BMI) = 34.95 ± 7.6] and ten obese individual [7 female, 3 male; BMI = 38.99 ± 6.5] participated in a supervised 12 week three days per week treadmill exercise training program. The PB high intensity interval group exercised at 80% of their age adjusted heart rate reserve (HRR) for 4 one minute intervals interspersed with 4 minute recovery bouts at 50% of the HRR for weeks 3 through 6. Exercise was increased to 6 one minute bouts at the same HRR intensity and recovery time for weeks 7 through 12. The obese continuous moderate intensity group exercised for 20 minutes at 60% HRR for weeks 3 through 6 and 20 minutes at 65% HRR for weeks 7 through 12. Both exercise interventions included a 2-week run-in to avoid injuries. Energy expenditure (MET-hrs) was measured using micro activPALs for the pre-exercise week and weeks 3, 9 and 12. RESULTS: Overall, there were no significant differences between groups for MET-hrs for any week. MET-hrs increased (p <.05) from the pre-exercise week (212.1 ± 4.96) during the intervention (week 3: 221.87 ± 8.01; week 9: 218.22 ± 11.19), and remained elevated post-intervention (week 12: 216.35 ± 7.5). Post-intervention MET-hrs had decreased from week 3, but were not significantly different from week 9 MET-hrs. There was 85% compliance for all training sessions for both groups. CONCLUSION: Post Bariatric surgery patients increased METs from vigorous intensity exercise intervention similar to obese individuals in moderate continuous exercise training. Although METs for week 12 declined for both groups, it remained above baseline and appears there was no evidence of CSA for either group. Supported by Sentara RMH Hospital and CHBS