Whole-body Electromyostimulation Enhances Submaximal Performance And Leg Fatigue In Obese Women After Bariatric Surgery

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Bariatric surgery (BS) is the most effective treatment for morbid obesity. Early rehabilitation strategies may be able to improve functional capacity (fc) and body composition that are impaired after the surgical procedure. In this sense, the whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) added to dynamic exercises may enhance the benefits for this population. PURPOSE: To evaluate if WB-EMS would enhance dynamic exercises on fc, dyspnea and leg fatigue, and body composition METHODS: Randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial. Twenty-six obese women (37±7years; BMI=37±4 kg/m2) were randomized after bariatric surgery into two groups (WB-EMSG, n=13; ShamG, n=13). Before and after training protocol, the patients performed body composition analysis (Inbody 720) and the two minutes step test (2MST) for functional capacity evaluation with portable ergospirometer (Oxycon Mobile®), with borg scale evaluation for effort perception. The WB-EMS (Miha Bodytec) was applied at motor level (endurance training: 3x/week; frequency=85Hz, pulse duration=350μs, cycle on= 6”; cycle off = 4”; strength training: 2x/week; frequency= 30Hz, pulse duration= 350μs, cycle on = 4”; cycle off = 10”), associated with dynamic exercises during 30 days, one week after BS. The ShamG performed the same exercises, but with the electric current turned off. After confirmation of normal data distribution (Shapiro-Wilk) a two-way ANOVA was performed (p<0.05). RESULTS: Weight loss was similar between groups after the intervention (p<0.002), and higher values of up and down cycles were observed (WB-EMSG pre: 47, post: 57 vs ShamG pre: 44, post: 54; p<0.001) and relative V̇O2 (WB-EMSG pre: 11.3, post: 14.1 vs ShamG pre: 10.3, post: 13.5; p<0.001) (2MST) in both groups after the intervention. In addition, we observed lower values of ventilation per minute (pre: 37.1, post: 32.7, vs pre: 43.7, post: 45.4, p= 0.002) and leg fatigue (pre: 1.0, post: 0.79 vs pre: 1.9, post: 1.8, p = 0.01) at the 2MST peak in WB-EMSG compared to ShamG, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Early intervention composed of WB-EMS and dynamic exercises improved minute ventilation and leg fatigue in 2MST, which may reflect in a faster and quality recovery for these patients.