Effect of physical exercise in bariatric surgery patients: protocol of a randomized controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is an effective approach to weight loss and long-term comorbidity resolution. Although recommended in several guidelines, supervised exercise has not been systematically prescribed after bariatric surgery. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of two types of exercise, moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), on body composition, cardiopulmonary function, and perceived quality of life in bariatric surgery patients. METHODS: This randomized controlled exploratory pilot trial will include 75 adults of both sexes scheduled for bariatric surgery. They will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) MICT, (2) HIIT, or (3) a control group. The intervention will occur 2 days a week for 4 months. Outcomes will be assessed at four points: (1) 1 week before surgery, (2) 21 days after surgery (baseline before the exercise program), (3) 8 weeks after beginning the exercise program, and (4) 1 week after the end of intervention. Primary outcomes will include body composition, heart rate variability, and 6-min walk test and quality of life scores. Secondary outcomes will be maximal respiratory pressure, flowmeter, hand dynamometry, and 30-s sit-to-stand test results. DISCUSSION: Both exercise protocols in this study were developed according to evidence-based practice. It is expected that, after 16 weeks of intervention, body composition (measured by electrical bioimpedance), cardiopulmonary function (measured by heart rate variability, maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, peak expiratory flow, handgrip strength, and the 6-min walk test), and perceived quality of life (measured by the Moorehead-Ardelt quality of life questionnaire II and bariatric analysis and reporting outcome system scores) will improve, especially in the HIIT group. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04235842. Registered on 22 January 2020.