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.

Vitamin C status and perception of effort during exercise in obese adults adhering to a calorie-reduced diet.

OBJECTIVE: Moderate energy restriction and exercise are recommended for effective weight loss. Obese individuals oxidize less fat and report a higher perceived exertion during exercise, characteristics that may negatively influence exercise behavior. Because vitamin C status has been linked to fatigability, we compared the effects of vitamin C supplementation on self-reported fatigue and on the respiratory exchange ratio and the Ratings of Perceived Exertion scale during moderate exercise in healthy obese adults adhering to a hypocaloric diet. METHODS: Twenty adults (4 men and 16 women) were stratified and randomly assigned to receive 500 mg of vitamin C (VC) or placebo (CON) daily for 4 wk while adhering to a vitamin C-controlled, calorie-restricted diet. Feelings of general fatigue as assessed by the Profile of Mood States questionnaire were recorded on a separate day from the exercise session at weeks 0 and 4. Participants walked on a treadmill at an intensity of 50% predicted maximal oxygen consumption for 60 min at weeks 0 and 4, and heart rate, respiratory exchange ratio, and Ratings of Perceived Exertion were recorded. RESULTS: After 4 wk, the two groups lost similar amounts of weight (≈ 4 kg), and the respiratory exchange ratio was not altered by group. Heart rate and the Ratings of Perceived Exertion during exercise were significantly decreased in the VC versus the CON group (-11 versus -3 beats/min, P = 0.022, and -1.3 versus +0.1 U, P = 0.001, respectively), and the general fatigue score was decreased 5.9 U for the VC group versus a 1.9 U increase for the CON group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: These data provide preliminary evidence that vitamin C status may influence fatigue, heart rate, and perceptions of exertion during moderate exercise in obese individuals.

Noninvasive measurements of arterial stiffness: repeatability and interrelationships with endothelial function and arterial morphology measures.

BACKGROUND: Many noninvasive arterial assessment techniques have been developed, measuring different parameters of arterial stiffness and endothelial function. However, there is little data available comparing different devices within the same subject. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the repeatability and interrelationships between 3 different techniques to measure arterial stiffness and to compare this with forearm-mediated dilation. METHODS: Carotid-radial pulse wave velocity was measured by the Sphygmocor (SPWV) and Complior (CPWV) devices, cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) was measured by the VaSera device, vascular structure and function was assessed using ultrasonography and evaluated for reliability and compared in 20 apparently healthy, college-aged men and women. RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficient and standard error of the mean for the Sphygmocor (R = 0.56, SEM = 0.69), Complior (R = 0.62, SEM = 0.69), and VaSera (R = 0.60, SEM = 0.56), indicated moderate repeatability. Bland-Altman plots indicated a mean difference of 0.11 +/- 0.84 for SPWV, 0.13 +/- 1.15 for CPWV, and -0.43 +/- 0.90 for CAVI. No significant interrelationships were found among the ultrasound measures and SPWV, CPWV, and CAVI. CONCLUSIONS: The three noninvasive modalities to study arterial stiffness reliably measures arterial stiffness however, they do not correlate with ultrasound measures of vascular function and structure in young and apparently healthy subjects.