Pre and postoperative effects of different exercise programs in patients undergoing bariatric surgery

Resumen

In the last decades, prevalence of morbid obesity has greatly increased. The health risks in individuals with morbid obesity is very high, therefore, it is necessary to apply a treatment to reduce their risk of morbidity/mortality. Bariatric surgery has proven to be an effective method for achieving large weight reductions, especially in the short term. However, the effects of exercise on bariatric patients have been poorly studied, and there are currently no guidelines indicating the appropriate type of exercise, volume and intensity to be used in this population, as well as when to apply a physical activity program (before or after surgery). Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to know the effects of different exercise programs (performed at moderate and high intensities) on different physiological and psychological variables, both in patients awaiting bariatric surgery and in patients who have already undergone surgery. The most relevant results of this thesis indicate that, individuals who perform an exercise program immediately after surgery have additional physical fitness improvements, and maintain the fat free mass. After surgery, a point of maximum weight loss occurs, and from there a process of weight regain begins. When performing a physical activity program at this point, bariatric patients obtained reductions in total weight and fat mass, so performing physical activity after surgery could avoid weight regain, and if this weight regain occurs, it could contribute to reduce it. Last, an exercise program performed prior to surgery has shown that it improves cardiovascular risk factors and decreases total weight and fat mass, thus, this could reduce perioperative risks and facilitate the surgery.