The Effects of a Multi-Component Exercise Program and Bariatric Surgery on Anthropometric Characteristics and Physical Function in Patients with Obesity

Background.Obesity is considered a major global public health issue.Interestingly, physical exercise has a vital role in preventing, managing, and treating obesity.However, bariatric surgery has been reported as an effective treatment option.Objectives.The present trial aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a 6-month, real-world, multi-component exercise intervention with bariatric surgery to improve anthropometric and physical function parameters in individuals with obesity.Methods.Seventy-one individuals (73% female, mean age: 39.720.3years) with obesity (mean body mass index: 38.43.0 kg/m 2 ) were recruited, and 69 completed the study.Participants were divided into i) exercise group (EX, n=25; randomly assigned), ii) bariatric surgery group (BS, n=23; group-randomized), and iii) non-exercise and non-surgical control group (C, n=23; randomly assigned).Anthropometric parameters, handgrip strength, functional aerobic capacity, and flexibility were assessed at baseline and after six months.Results.The EX and BS groups experienced beneficial changes in anthropometrics, functional aerobic capacity, and flexibility compared with C (p<0.001).BS demonstrated greater improvements in anthropometrics and functional aerobic capacity than C (p<0.05), while EX showed higher increases in handgrip strength than BS (p<0.05).Also, moderate negative and positive associations were found between anthropometrics and physical function changes in EX and BS, respectively.Conclusion.A multi-component exercise programming approach could enhance physical capabilities.At the same time, bariatric surgery improved anthropometric characteristics, suggesting that surgical interventions may improve body composition but not muscular fitness in obese individuals.