Influence of Adherence to Social Distancing Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity Level in Post-bariatric Patients.

We assessed physical activity using accelerometers and a questionnaire in 33 post-bariatric patients who reported to be adherent (n = 15) or not (n = 18) to social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients adherent to social distancing spent more time in sedentary behavior (1.1 h/day, 0.1, 2.2; p = 0.045) and less time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (- 12.2 min/day, - 23.8, - 0.6; p = 0.040) vs. non-adherent ones. Bland-Altman analysis comparing objective and subjective physical activity estimates showed a bias for time spent in sedentary behavior and moderate-to-vigorous activity of 2.8 h/day and 8.5 min/day. In conclusion, post-bariatric patients who were adherent to social distancing measures were more inactive and sedentary than non-adherent ones. Strategies to increase physical activity in post-bariatric patients exposed to social distancing are necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Acute effects of moderate-intensity and high-intensity exercise on hemodynamic and autonomic reactivity to the cold pressor test in young adults with excess body weight.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a single session of moderate-intensity and high-intensity interval exercise in cardiovascular reactivity to the cold pressor test in young adults with excess body weight. METHODS: Twenty-two subjects with excess body weight (23 ± 2 years; 30.0 ± 3.4 kg·m) performed three sessions: (1) moderate-intensity exercise (30-minute cycling at 50%-60% of heart rate reserve); (2) high-intensity exercise (four series of 3-minute cycling at 80%-90% of heart rate reserve, interspersed by 2-minute recovery) and (3) control (i.e. 30-minute seated). Before and 30 minutes after the interventions, subjects undertook assessments of SBP/DBP and heart rate in response to the cold pressor test (1-minute rest + 1-minute hand immersed in 4°C water). Reactivity was calculated as the absolute response of SBP, DBP and heart rate to cold pressor test and compared between interventions using a two-way analysis of variance (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Neither moderate-intensity exercise or high-intensity interval exercise attenuated SBP/DBP reactivity to cold pressor test compared with control. On the other hand, heart rate reactivity was reduced after moderate-intensity exercise compared with control (1.36 ± 8.35 bpm vs. 5.18 ± 9.45 bpm). Furthermore, moderate-intensity exercise reduced absolute levels of SBP/DBP from pre- to post-intervention. CONCLUSION: A single session of moderate-intensity exercise or high-intensity interval exercise did not reduce the SBP/DBP reactivity to cold pressor test. However, absolute levels of SBP/DBP were lower after moderate-intensity exercise, indicating a hypotensive effect promoted by a single session of moderate-intensity exercise in young adults with excess body weight.