Impact of a Multicomponent Exercise Training Program on Muscle Strength After Bariatric Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: This study examined the benefits of an 11-months multicomponent exercise program (MEP) on muscular strength (MS) after bariatric surgery. METHODS: Of the 84 randomized patients, 41 participants from the exercise group (EG) and 20 participants from the control group (CG) were included in the analysis. The EG received supervised MEP for 11 months, starting 1-month post-bariatric surgery (BS) in addition to standard medical care, while the CG received medical care recommendations only. Knee and trunk MS was assessed by isokinetic dynamometry pre-surgery, 1-, 6-, and 12-month post-surgery, while body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The MEP did not significantly impact absolute MS in the dominant knee and trunk regions at 6- and 12-month post-BS. However, relative MS showed significant improvements. At 6-month post-BS, knee flexion at 60°/s relative to body weight (BW) increased significantly (p = 0.047), as did knee extension at 180°/s relative to BW (p = 0.009), and knee extension at 60°/s relative to total lean mass (p=0.040). At 12-month post-BS, knee flexion at 60°/s relative to BW also significantly improved (p=0.038). CONCLUSION: While absolute MS was not significantly improved with MEP, this study found significant enhancements in relative MS, particularly in dominant knee flexion post-MEP participation. Further research should explore different exercise intensities and frequencies to optimize postoperative MS recovery post-BS. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02843048).

Effects of a supervised exercise training on body composition after bariatric surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effects of a multicomponent exercise intervention during the first year post-bariatric surgery (BS) on body composition, weight loss (WL), energy expenditure, and nutrient intake. METHODS: A total of 84 patients were included in this study and were randomly assigned to either an exercise group (n = 41) or a control group (n = 20). The exercise group participated in a multicomponent exercise program that began 1-month post-BS, whereas the control group received only standard medical care post-BS. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and physical activity energy expenditure was assessed by accelerometers. Nutritional intake was assessed through a 4-day food diary. RESULTS: A total of 6-months post-BS, exercise was found to be effective in mitigating the loss of lower-limb and appendicular lean mass (LM), as well as favoring trunk fat mass (FM) loss. Moreover, it further decreased percent FM and promoted additional excess WL. After 12 months, exercise not only reduced waist circumference but also helped to lessen the loss of total, trunk, and appendicular LM. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise further induced trunk fat mass, percent FM, excess WL, and waist circumference reductions. Moreover, exercise attenuated the loss of total and regional LM.

Multicompartment body composition analysis in older adults: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: During aging, changes occur in the proportions of muscle, fat, and bone. Body composition (BC) alterations have a great impact on health, quality of life, and functional capacity. Several equations to predict BC using anthropometric measurements have been developed from a bi-compartmental (2-C) approach that determines only fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM). However, these models have several limitations, when considering constant density, progressive bone demineralization, and changes in the hydration of the FFM, as typical changes during senescence. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to propose and validate a new multi-compartmental anthropometric model to predict fat, bone, and musculature components in older adults of both sexes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 100 older adults of both sexes. To determine the dependent variables (fat mass [FM], bone mineral content [BMC], and appendicular lean soft tissue [ALST]) whole total and regional dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) body scans were performed. Twenty-nine anthropometric measures and sex were appointed as independent variables. Models were developed through multivariate linear regression. Finally, the predicted residual error sum of squares (PRESS) statistic was used to measure the effectiveness of the predicted value for each dependent variable. RESULTS: An equation was developed to simultaneously predict FM, BMC, and ALST from only four variables: weight, half-arm span (HAS), triceps skinfold (TriSK), and sex. This model showed high coefficients of determination and low estimation errors (FM: R2adj: 0.83 and SEE: 3.16; BMC: R2adj: 0.61 and SEE: 0.30; ALST: R2adj: 0.85 and SEE: 1.65). CONCLUSION: The equations provide a reliable, practical, and low-cost instrument to monitor changes in body components during the aging process. The internal cross-validation method PRESS presented sufficient reliability in the model as an inexpensive alternative for clinical field use.

Using Raw Accelerometer Data to Predict High-Impact Mechanical Loading.

The purpose of this study was to develop peak ground reaction force (pGRF) and peak loading rate (pLR) prediction equations for high-impact activities in adult subjects with a broad range of body masses, from normal weight to severe obesity. A total of 78 participants (27 males; 82.4 ± 20.6 kg) completed a series of trials involving jumps of different types and heights on force plates while wearing accelerometers at the ankle, lower back, and hip. Regression equations were developed to predict pGRF and pLR from accelerometry data. Leave-one-out cross-validation was used to calculate prediction accuracy and Bland-Altman plots. Body mass was a predictor in all models, along with peak acceleration in the pGRF models and peak acceleration rate in the pLR models. The equations to predict pGRF had a coefficient of determination (R2) of at least 0.83, and a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) below 14.5%, while the R2 for the pLR prediction equations was at least 0.87 and the highest MAPE was 24.7%. Jumping pGRF can be accurately predicted through accelerometry data, enabling the continuous assessment of mechanical loading in clinical settings. The pLR prediction equations yielded a lower accuracy when compared to the pGRF equations.

Mechanical loading prediction through accelerometry data during walking and running.

Currently, there is no way to assess mechanical loading variables such as peak ground reaction forces (pGRF) and peak loading rate (pLR) in clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to develop accelerometry-based equations to predict both pGRF and pLR during walking and running. One hundred and thirty one subjects (79 females; 76.9 ± 19.6 kg) walked and ran at different speeds (2-14 km·h-1) on a force plate-instrumented treadmill while wearing accelerometers at their ankle, lower back and hip. Regression equations were developed to predict pGRF and pLR from accelerometry data. Leave-one-out cross-validation was used to calculate prediction accuracy and Bland-Altman plots. Our pGRF prediction equation was compared with a reference equation previously published. Body mass and peak acceleration were included for pGRF prediction and body mass and peak acceleration rate for pLR prediction. All pGRF equation coefficients of determination were above 0.96, and a good agreement between actual and predicted pGRF was observed, with a mean absolute percent error (MAPE) below 7.3%. Accuracy indices from our equations were better than previously developed equations. All pLR prediction equations presented a lower accuracy compared to those developed to predict pGRF. Walking and running pGRF can be predicted with high accuracy by accelerometry-based equations, representing an easy way to determine mechanical loading in free-living conditions. The pLR prediction equations yielded a somewhat lower prediction accuracy compared with the pGRF equations.

Peak ground reaction forces can be accurately predicted through raw accelerometry data.These predictions are valid for a broad range of body masses and for ankle, lower back and hip accelerometer placements.Peak loading rate prediction presented lower accuracy compared with peak ground reaction force prediction.These findings result in a simple method to predict mechanical loading in clinical practice, which is relevant in some areas of sports medicine such as bone health and injury prevention.

Changes in volumetric bone mineral density and bone quality after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: A meta-analysis with meta-regression.

This meta-analysis aimed to assess the effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on three-dimensionally assessed volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) with the effect of time on these changes, on bone quality, and the agreement of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) with quantitative computed tomography (QCT) or high-resolution peripheral QCT (HR-pQCT) estimates of bone loss. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Scopus, and EBSCO. Longitudinal studies on adults undergoing RYGB in which vBMD was assessed by QCT or HR-pQCT with ≥6 months follow-up were included. Total hip (TH) changes were reported in four studies, lumbar spine (LS) in eight, radius in eight, and tibia in seven. Significant post-RYGB vBMD reductions occurred at all skeletal sites analyzed. Meta-regression revealed that time post-RYGB was significantly associated with vBMD deterioration in all skeletal sites except at the TH. RYGB also led to significant deterioration on bone quality. DXA underestimated LS and overestimated TH bone losses post-RYGB. In conclusion, RYGB was associated with significant vBMD loss, which makes screening of bone mass progression by three-dimensional technology a crucial clinical issue to prevent fracture risk and osteoporosis.

Comparison of Climacteric Symptoms, Quality of Life, and Self-Care Attitudes before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the climacteric symptoms, quality of life indices, and self-care attitudes in women before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2020 and September 2021. The sample consisted of 342 climacteric women who were divided into two groups: before the pandemic (BP group; n = 62) and during the pandemic (DP group; n = 280). The Menopause Rating Scale and Women's Health Questionnaire were used to measure the health-related quality of life and degree of climacteric symptoms reported by women. RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, women were able to decrease their somatic symptoms derived from the climacteric period (BP group: 7.84 ± 4.46, DP group: 5.94 ± 9.20; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: There was no worsening in the self-reported symptoms, quality of life, and self-care attitudes of climacteric women because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, only somatic symptoms decreased during the pandemic.

Effects of a Multicomponent Exercise Training Program on Balance Following Bariatric Surgery.

Patients who undergo bariatric surgery (BS) have an increased risk of falls. Our aim was to determine if a multicomponent exercise intervention after BS improves balance. Eighty-four patients with obesity enrolled for BS were recruited and 1 month after BS randomly allocated to a control (CG; standard medical care) or exercise group (EG; exercise plus standard medical care) consisting of a supervised multicomponent training program (3d/week; 75 min/session; 5 months). Anthropometry, lower limb muscle strength (isokinetic dynamometer), vitamin D (ELISA) and balance in bipedal stance (force platform) were assessed pre-BS, 1 month and 6 months post-BS. One month post-BS, significant balance improvements were observed, namely in antero-posterior center of gravity (CoG) displacement and velocity, and medio-lateral and total CoG velocity. Between 1- and 6-months post-BS, improvements in balance were observed only in the EG, with a significant treatment effect on CoG displacement area and antero-posterior CoG displacement. No significant differences were observed between EG and CG over time in any of the anthropometric, muscle strength, and vitamin D variables assayed. In conclusion, a multicomponent exercise intervention program improves some balance parameters in patients with severe obesity following BS and therefore should be part of post-BS follow-up care as a potential strategy to reduce falls and associated injuries.

Does Exercise Improve the Cardiometabolic Risk Profile of Patients with Obesity After Bariatric Surgery? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

We aimed to determine the effects of different exercise types, duration, and onset after bariatric surgery (BS) on cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs). A systematic search was conducted up to July 2021. Eleven studies were identified (n = 618 participants). Overall, exercise induced reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP; - 5.33 mmHg; 95%CI - 8.99, -1.66; p < 0.01). Combined exercises elicited reductions on SBP (- 7.18 mmHg; 95%CI - 12.42, - 1.94; p < 0.01) and triglycerides (- 17.56 mg/dL; 95%CI - 34.15, - 0.96; p = 0.04). SBP reductions were also observed on interventions starting > 6 months post-BS (- 7.71 mmHg; 95%CI - 13.12, - 2.31; p < 0.01), and on > 12-week protocols (- 5.78 mmHg; 95%CI - 9.91, - 1.66; p < 0.01). Overall exercise and particularly aerobic plus resistance protocols were an effective therapy to reduce CMRFs post-BS. Benefits were also observed with interventions starting > 6 months post-BS and with > 12-week duration. Trial registration: CRD42020161175 .

Can exercise promote additional benefits on body composition in patients with obesity after bariatric surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for patients with severe obesity, but success rates vary substantially. Exercise is recommended after bariatric surgery to reduce weight regain but the effectiveness remains undetermined on weight loss due to conflicting results. It is also unclear what should be the optimal exercise prescription for these patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the effects of exercise on body weight (BW), anthropometric measures, and body composition after bariatric surgery was performed. METHODS: PubMed/MEDLINE®, EBSCO®, Web of Science® and Scopus® databases were searched to identify studies evaluating exercise effectiveness. RESULTS: The analysis comprised 10 studies (n = 487 participants). Exercise favored BW (-2.51kg; p = 0.02), waist circumference (-4.14cm; p = 0.04) and body mass index (-0.84kg·m-2; p = 0.02) reduction but no improvements in body composition. Combined exercise interventions were the most effective in reducing BW (-5.50kg; p < 0.01) and body mass index (-1.86kg·m-2; p < 0.01). Interventions starting >6-months after bariatric surgery were more successful in reducing BW (-5.02kg; p < 0.01) and body mass index (-1.62kg·m-2; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Exercise, combined exercise regimens and interventions starting >6-months after bariatric surgery were effective in promoting BW, waist circumference and body mass index reduction. Exercise following bariatric surgery does not seem to favor body composition improvements.

The Effect of Exercise for the Prevention of Bone Mass After Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

We aimed to assess if exercise applied after bariatric surgery (BS) improves bone mineral density (BMD) compared to usual care. Systematic search was conducted up to January 2021. Effect measures were determined using standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Certainty evidence was assessed according to GRADE. Four clinical trials encompassing 340 patients were included. Exercise induced a positive BMD effect at total hip (SMD = 0.37 [95% CI 0.02, 0.71]; very low certainty evidence), femoral neck (SMD = 0.63 [95% CI 0.19, 1.06]; low certainty evidence), lumbar spine (SMD = 0.41 [95% CI 0.19, 0.62]; low certainty evidence), and 1/3 radius (SMD = 0.58 [95% CI 0.19, 0.97]; low certainty evidence). Exercise undertaken after BS seems to induce a positive effect on BMD.

Information theory approaches to improve glioma diagnostic workflows in surgical neuropathology.

AIMS: Resource-strained healthcare ecosystems often struggle with the adoption of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for the classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. The generation of robust clinical diagnostic aids and the advancement of simple solutions to inform investment strategies in surgical neuropathology would improve patient care in these settings. METHODS: We used simple information theory calculations on a brain cancer simulation model and real-world data sets to compare contributions of clinical, histologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular information. An image noise assay was generated to compare the efficiencies of different image segmentation methods in H&E and Olig2 stained images obtained from digital slides. An auto-adjustable image analysis workflow was generated and compared with neuropathologists for p53 positivity quantification. Finally, the density of extracted features of the nuclei, p53 positivity quantification, and combined ATRX/age feature was used to generate a predictive model for 1p/19q codeletion in IDH-mutant tumors. RESULTS: Information theory calculations can be performed on open access platforms and provide significant insight into linear and nonlinear associations between diagnostic biomarkers. Age, p53, and ATRX status have significant information for the diagnosis of IDH-mutant tumors. The predictive models may facilitate the reduction of false-positive 1p/19q codeletion by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing. CONCLUSIONS: We posit that this approach provides an improvement on the cIMPACT-NOW workflow recommendations for IDH-mutant tumors and a framework for future resource and testing allocation.

The effect of bariatric surgery on gravitational loading and its impact on bone mass.

INTRODUCTION: Mechanical unloading associated with weight loss might be one of the main causes for bariatric surgery (BS) induced bone loss. However, no study has tested this hypothesis through objectively measured accelerometry-derived gravitational loading. We aimed to assess how gravitational loading changes following BS and how this correlates with bone mass losses. METHODS: Twenty-one patients submitted to gastric bypass were assessed before, 1, 6 and 12 months after BS for areal bone mineral density (BMD), calciotropic hormones, sclerostin, body composition and daily physical activity. Gravitational loading was determined as the sum of ground reaction forces assessed by accelerometer which considered the interaction between weight and daily ambulation. RESULTS: Mechanical stimuli promoted through the significant increase in steps number counterbalanced the gravitational loading decreases derived from the significant weight loss after BS. Gravitational loading volume decreased between pre-BS and 1 month post-BS (-2215 kN·d-1; p = .023), but remained stable between 6 and 12 months post-BS, despite decreases on hip (-7.0%; p < .001), femoral neck (-8.8%; p < .001) and lumbar spine (-5.2%; p < .001) BMD. Serum sclerostin increased from pre-BS to 1 month post-BS (+0.118 ng·mL-1; p = .021), returning to pre-BS levels 6 months after surgery. Neither vitamin D nor parathyroid hormone were affected by BS. Weight variation was a predictor of BMD decreases at total hip (R2 = 0.06; p = .026) and femoral neck (R2 = 0.12; p = .022), whereas daily gravitational loading volume was not. Fat and lean mass changes were also predictors of BMD decrease at total hip (R2 = 0.05; p = .031) and femoral neck (R2 = 0.14; p = .010), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that gravitational loading only decreased during the first month after surgery remaining stable thereafter, and these changes do not seem to explain BS-induced bone loss. The association between weight and bone loss seems to result from other physiological aspects, fat and lean mass loss, rather than from gravitational loading decrease.

Wearable Devices for Physical Activity and Healthcare Monitoring in Elderly People: A Critical Review.

The availability of wearable devices (WDs) to collect biometric information and their use during activities of daily living is significantly increasing in the general population. These small electronic devices, which record fitness and health-related outcomes, have been broadly utilized in industries such as medicine, healthcare, and fitness. Since they are simple to use and progressively cheaper, they have also been used for numerous research purposes. However, despite their increasing popularity, most of these WDs do not accurately measure the proclaimed outcomes. In fact, research is equivocal about whether they are valid and reliable methods to specifically evaluate physical activity and health-related outcomes in older adults, since they are mostly designed and produced considering younger subjects' physical and mental characteristics. Additionally, their constant evolution through continuous upgrades and redesigned versions, suggests the need for constant up-to-date reviews and research. Accordingly, this article aims to scrutinize the state-of-the-art scientific evidence about the usefulness of WDs, specifically on older adults, to monitor physical activity and health-related outcomes. This critical review not only aims to inform older consumers but also aid researchers in study design when selecting physical activity and healthcare monitoring devices for elderly people.

How Does Bariatric Surgery Affect Fall Risk Factors?

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess bariatric surgery (BS) effect on fall risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients undergoing BS (intervention group, IG) and 10 non-surgical obese patients (control group, CG) were recruited. IG was assessed at pre-surgery and 6 months after BS, while CG was assessed at baseline and reassessed after 6 months. At both time-points, anthropometry, lower limbs muscle strength (isokinetic dynamometer), balance in bipedal stance (force platform), daily physical activity (accelerometry), and health-related quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire) were assessed. RESULTS: At baseline, there were no differences between CG and IG for all parameters analyzed. Compared to CG, 6 months post-BS, the IG decreased weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumference. Balance showed limited improvements, with gains observed only on antero-posterior and total center of pressure velocity. Muscle strength displayed a divergent evolution 6 months after BS, with a decrease in absolute strength but an increase in relative strength. Although BS did not induce significant changes in time spent in different physical activity intensities, it decreased time in sedentary behavior and increased number of daily steps. Post-BS patients reported substantial improvements in quality-of-life, especially in physical function. CONCLUSION: Patients seem to overestimate their actual physical fitness improvements attained after BS, which combined with increases in physical activity, might increase the likelihood of engaging in risky daily tasks to what they are physically not prepared to, consequently increasing fall risk.

The Effect of an Exercise Intervention Program on Bone Health After Bariatric Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Exercise has been suggested as a therapeutic approach to attenuate bone loss induced by bariatric surgery (BS), but its effectiveness remains unclear. Our aim was to determine if an exercise-training program could induce benefits on bone mass after BS. Eighty-four patients, submitted to gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, were randomized to either exercise (EG) or control group (CG). One month post-BS, EG underwent a 11-month supervised multicomponent exercise program, while CG received only standard medical care. Patients were assessed before BS and at 1, 6, and 12 months post-BS for body composition, areal bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers, calciotropic hormones, sclerostin, bone material strength index, muscle strength, and daily physical activity. A primary analysis was conducted according to intention-to-treat principles and the primary outcome was the between-group difference on lumbar spine BMD at 12 months post-BS. A secondary analysis was also performed to analyze if the exercise effect depended on training attendance. Twelve months post-BS, primary analysis results revealed that EG had a higher BMD at lumbar spine (+0.024 g∙cm-2 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.004, 0.044]; p = .015) compared with CG. Among total hip, femoral neck, and 1/3 radius secondary outcomes, only 1/3 radius BMD improved in EG compared with CG (+0.013 g∙cm-2 [95% CI 0.003, 0.023]; p = .020). No significant exercise effects were observed on bone biochemical markers or bone material strength index. EG also had a higher lean mass (+1.5 kg [95% CI 0.1, 2.9]; p = .037) and higher number of high impacts (+51.4 [95% CI 6.6, 96.1]; p = .026) compared with CG. In addition, secondary analysis results suggest that exercise-induced benefits may be obtained on femoral neck BMD but only on those participants with ≥50% exercise attendance compared with CG (+5.3% [95% CI 2.0, 8.6]; p = .006). Our findings suggest that an exercise program is an effective strategy to ameliorate bone health in post-BS patients. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Accelerometry calibration in people with class II-III obesity: Energy expenditure prediction and physical activity intensity identification.

BACKGROUND: Almost all accelerometer calibration studies were developed for non-obese people, which hampers an accurate prediction of energy expenditure (EE) and induces a misclassification of sedentary activity (SA) and physical activity intensities (PAI) in class II-III obese people. RESEARCH QUESTION: The purpose of this study was to develop regression equations to predict EE and cut-points to classify SA and PAI in severe obese people based on several metrics obtained from hip and back accelerometer placement data. METHODS: 43 class II-III obese participants performed a protocol that included sitting and standing positions and walking at several speeds. During the protocol participants wore an accelerometer at hip and back, and respiratory gas exchange was measured by indirect calorimetry. Accelerometer metrics analyzed were: activity counts, mean amplitude deviation and euclidean norm minus one. EE was predicted through linear mixed models while cut-points to classify SA and PAI were obtained applying receiver operating characteristic curves. Leave-one-out cross-validation data was used to calculate Bland-Altman plots, prediction accuracy, Kappa statistic and percent agreement. RESULTS: All prediction models presented a quadratic equation that had as predictors body mass and one of the accelerometer metrics. Predicted EE indicated a good agreement and a root mean square error below 1.02 kcal min-1. Global classification agreement from developed cut-points was categorized as almost perfect with a percent agreement above 84 %. Prediction accuracy and classification agreement were similar among accelerometer metrics in each position and between them in hip and back placement. SIGNIFICANCE: Hip and back accelerometer data collected in severe obese people allow to accurately estimate EE and to correctly classify SA and PAI. These results enable future studies to adopt appropriate regression equations and cut-points developed for class II-III obese people rather than those established for non-obese people.