Effects of Concurrent Aerobic and Resistance Training After Bariatric Surgery in Women: RCT

The Effects of Concurrent Aerobic and Resistance Training on Body Composition and Metabolic Parameters in Women Following Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of a 12-week exercise program on body composition and various physical and physiological parameters in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery. The exercise interventions include aerobic training and combined aerobic and resistance (strength) training. The study aims to determine the impact of these exercise approaches on post-operative recovery and overall physical fitness in this population.

Objectives and Methods: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week structured exercise program on body composition and selected physical and physiological parameters in female patients who had undergone bariatric surgery. A total of twenty women who had received sleeve gastrectomy and were in the early post-operative period (third month after surgery) were included in the study. Participants engaged in supervised exercise interventions consisting of aerobic training as well as combined aerobic and resistance (strength) training protocols, designed in accordance with standard exercise prescription principles. The exercise programs were implemented over a 12-week period with regular monitoring to ensure adherence and safety. Anthropometric measurements, including body weight, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio, were obtained using standardized procedures. Body composition parameters such as body fat percentage, regional fat distribution, lean body mass, and basal metabolic rate were assessed using appropriate measurement techniques. In addition, selected biochemical parameters, including markers related to metabolic health, were evaluated through blood analyses. All measurements were conducted at baseline and repeated at the end of the 12-week intervention period under consistent conditions to ensure reliability and comparability of the data.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 18-65 years
• Sleeve gastrectomy performed at least 3 months prior to enrollment
• Medical clearance for participation in exercise
• No history of lower extremity injury within the past year
• Ability to perform cycling and running exercises

Exclusion Criteria:

• Medical contraindications to exercise participation
• Surgery performed more than 1 year prior to enrollment
• Presence of neurological, hormonal, cardiovascular, or respiratory disorders within the past year
• Lower extremity muscle or joint discomfort within the past 6 months
• Voluntary withdrawal from the study
• Occurrence of adverse events during the study
• Failure to attend ≥2 consecutive sessions per week or ≥20% of total sessions during the 12-week intervention period
• Exclusion due to non-adherence to the protocol (n=2), resulting in a final sample of 18 participants