title: Impact of aerobic exercise training on heart rate variability and functional capacity in obese women after gastric bypass surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity is a major public health concern on a global scale. Bariatric surgery is among the treatment options, resulting in significant and sustainable weight loss as well as amelioration of comorbidities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a 12-week aerobic exercise program positively impacts heart rate variability (HRV) and functional capacity after gastric bypass surgery (GBS) in a female cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of the 52 patients initially recruited, 21 were randomized to a training group (TG) or control group and successfully completed the study. Patients were tested on two occasions: 1 week before GBS and 4 months after GBS. Anthropometric variables, body composition, record of heart rate and R-R intervals, and 6-min walk test (6MWT) were assessed at both time points. The TG underwent an aerobic exercise training program on a treadmill (1-h session, totaling 36 sessions over 12 weeks).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main findings from this study were: (1) only the TG demonstrated a significant increase (p < 0.05) in all indexes of heart rate variability (HRV) after 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training and (2) only the TG demonstrated a significant increase (p < 0.05) in 6MWT distance and decrease in diastolic blood pressure after aerobic exercise training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training improves cardiac autonomic modulation and functional capacity 4 months after GBS.
authors.affiliation: Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy Laboratory, Nucleus of Research in Physical Exercise, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luis, km 235, 13565-905, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Viviane
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Castello
authors.forename: Rodrigo Polaquini
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Simões
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bassi
authors.forename: Aparecida Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Catai
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arena
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borghi-Silva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult