Improved Exercise Behaviors Associated with a Comprehensive Structured Exercise Program Following Bariatric Surgery

Background: Although regular exercise is a significant predictor of weight loss and weight loss maintenance, bariatric surgery patients are mostly sedentary/low active presurgery, and up to 44% of these patients do not engage in regular exercise at 1 year postsurgery. Furthermore, of all postsurgical behavioral recommendations, exercise is the most likely area of nonadherence. The goal of this study was to evaluate adherence to a structured, postsurgical exercise program and to explore the preliminary efficacy of this program on trends in exercise frequency, duration, and intensity. Methods: Data on exercise behaviors during group exercise sessions and at home were collected from all 46 patients participating in a 12-week, structured, postsurgical exercise program. Linear regression was used to determine whether exercise behaviors changed over time. Results: The frequency and duration of at-home exercise increased from 3.3 (1.9) times per week for 37.4 (18.3) min/session at week 1 to 4.3 (1.7) times per week for 50.8 (23.3) min/session at week 12 (p<0.01 for increase in both frequency and duration). The level of exercise intensity during the weekly group exercise classes increased from 3.5 (0.9) METs (metabolic equivalents; equivalent to a moderate walking pace) at week 1 to 6.3 (2.9) METs (equivalent to a very brisk walking/slow jogging pace) at week 12 (p<0.01). Conclusions: The significant improvements in exercise behaviors observed during this group exercise program suggest that such programs are feasible, and may be effective in helping bariatric surgery patients meet the postsurgical exercise recommendations associated with improved weight loss and overall health.