title: Physical activity and physical function in individuals post-bariatric surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A better understanding of the physical activity behavior of individuals who undergo bariatric surgery will enable the development of effective post-surgical exercise guidelines and interventions to enhance weight loss outcomes. This study characterized the physical activity profile and physical function of 40 subjects 2-5 years post-bariatric surgery and examined the association between physical activity, physical function, and weight loss after surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) was assessed with the BodyMedia SenseWear® Pro (SWPro) armband, and physical function (PF) was measured using the physical function subscale of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey instrument (SF-36(PF)). Height and weight were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Percent of excess weight loss (%EWL) was associated with MVPA (r = 0.44, p = 0.01) and PF (r = 0.38, p = 0.02); MVPA was not associated with PF (r = 0.24, p = 0.14). Regression analysis demonstrated that MVPA was associated with %EWL (β = 0.38, t = 2.43, p = 0.02). Subjects who participated in ≥150 min/week of MVPA had a greater %EWL (68.2 ± 19, p = 0.01) than those who participated in <150 min/week (52.5 ± 17.4).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that subjects are capable of performing most mobility activities. However, the lack of an association between PF and MVPA suggests that a higher level of PF does not necessarily correspond to a higher level of MVPA participation. Thus, the barriers to adoption of a more physically active lifestyle may not be fully explained by the subjects' physical limitations. Further understanding of this relationship is needed for the development of post-surgical weight loss guidelines and interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. daj11@pitt.edu
authors.forename: Deborah A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Josbeno
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalarchian
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Sparto
authors.forename: Amy D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Otto
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jakicic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D049628:Body Size; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015390:Gastric Bypass; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000601:surgery*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D057566:Self Report; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*