(CCSP104) IMPACT OF A SUPERVISED EXERCISE PROGRAM FOLLOWING BARIATRIC SURGERY ON MUSCLE STRENGTH: A RANDOMIZED TRIAL

Background: Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for long-term management of severe obesity, but it is often accompanied with loss of muscle mass and strength. Regular physical activity preserves muscle mass and helps to increase muscle strength. The benefits of physical activity following bariatric surgery on muscle strength is poorly documented. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a 12-week supervised exercise program on muscle strength following bariatric surgery.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty participants who underwent bariatric surgery were randomized to: 1) 12-week supervised exercise training (3x/week resistance and aerobic training) or, 2) no exercise training (standard post-surgery medical follow-up). Anthropometric measurements (including body composition with bioimpedance), and maximal isometric strength from the dominant side (lower limb strength by BIODEX dynamometer) were performed preoperatively, and at 3, 6 and 12 months after bariatric surgery. A total of 51 participants (72.5% women, preoperative BMI 45.8 ± 6.1 kg/m2 and age 42 ± 12years) were included in the analysis. For all participants, bariatric surgery was accompanied by a reduction in body fat mass and body lean mass at 3, 6 and 12 months (all p< 0.001). No significant difference in lean body mass and muscle strength were found between the exercise and the no exercise training groups (all p>0.05). At 12 months, the maximal absolute isometric strength decreased similarly in both groups (-12.0 ± 15.1% vs. -13.8 ±14.1%, p>0.05). In contrast, the maximal isometric relative strength represented by the torque/weight ratio increased in both groups too at 12 months (44.8 ± 29.0% vs. 40.8 ± 19.9% p>0.05).

Conclusion: Twelve months following bariatric surgery, participants showed an increase in maximal isometric relative strength expressed by the torque/weight ratio. No additional benefit of a 12-week supervised exercise training program on body lean mass or maximal isometric absolute strength was found following bariatric surgery. It would be of interest to explore the benefit of different exercise training regimens and duration on muscle mass and strength gain after bariatric surgery.