Association Between Physical Activity Intensity and Physical Capacity Among Individuals Awaiting Bariatric Surgery.
Physical activity is a routine component of the lifestyle modification program implemented prior to bariatric surgery, and one of the goals is to improve patients' physical capacity. However, the physical activity intensity recommended to meet that goal is unknown.



This study aimed to assess the association between time spent at different physical activity intensities and physical capacity in patients awaiting bariatric surgery.



A total of 39 women and 13 men were recruited. The primary outcome was physical capacity measured using six objective tests: 6-min walk, chair stand, sit and reach, unipodal balance (eyes open and eyes closed), and hand grip strength tests. The primary exposure variable was physical activity intensity (i.e., sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous) measured by accelerometers.



The average body mass index was 46.3 ± 5.4 kg/m2. Only 6% of total time was spent at moderate to vigorous intensity, while 71% of the time was spent sedentary. When adjusted for body mass index, age, and sex, four of the six physical capacity tests were significantly associated with moderate intensity physical activity β(SE): 6-min walk 9.7 (2.7), chair stand 0.3 (0.1), balance (eyes open) 1.8 (0.7), and hand grip strength 1.2 (0.4), and only the 6-min walk was associated with sedentary activity 1.7 (0.7).



These results suggest that physical capacity is associated with time spent at moderate intensity in individuals awaiting bariatric surgery. The next step is to study if an increase in time spent at moderate intensity will translate to improvements in physical capacity.
Faculty of Kinesiology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton 2 Peter Kelly Drive, P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada.
Brittany V
BV
Rioux
Faculty of Kinesiology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton 2 Peter Kelly Drive, P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada.
Martin
M
Sénéchal
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, S013-750 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2, Canada.
Karen
K
Kwok
Faculty of Kinesiology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton 2 Peter Kelly Drive, P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada.
Jill
J
Fox
Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba, 66 Chancellors Cir, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada.
Dean
D
Gamey
Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba, 66 Chancellors Cir, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada.
Neha
N
Bharti
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, S013-750 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2, Canada.
Ashley
A
Vergis
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, S013-750 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2, Canada.
Krista
K
Hardy
Faculty of Kinesiology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton 2 Peter Kelly Drive, P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada. danielle.bouchard@unb.ca.
Danielle R
DR
Bouchard
D061725:Accelerometry; D000328:Adult; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004856:Postural Balance; D057234:Preoperative Period; D016138:Walking
Accelerometer; Bariatric Surgery; Exercise; Obesity; Physical function