Name: EDUARDA DE PAULA GUASTI
Publication date: 23/07/2026
Examining board:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| ANA PAULA LIMA LEOPOLDO | Presidente |
| DANILO SALES BOCALINI | Examinador Interno |
| DIJON HENRIQUE SALOMÉ DE CAMPOS | Examinador Externo |
Summary: Obesity is a major public health issue, defined as a chronic disease characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat that poses risks to health and quality of life. Among the available therapeutic strategies, bariatric surgery stands out as an effective intervention for patients with severe obesity and associated comorbidities, promoting significant weight loss. Studies indicate that preoperative preparation plays a fundamental role in surgical success, with physical exercise serving as an important tool for improving functional capacity, body composition, quality of life, and reducing surgical risk and postoperative complications. In this context, the present study investigated the effects of a supervised aerobic training program on cardiometabolic parameters, surgical risk, and quality of life in patients enrolled in the Bariatric Surgery Program at the Hospital Universitário Cassiano Antônio Moraes (HUCAM/UFES). Twelve patients with severe obesity, of both sexes, aged between 30 and 60 years, and eligible for bariatric surgery participated in the study. The physical training protocol was implemented during the preoperative period, three times per week, at light to moderate intensity, with sessions lasting 40 to 60 minutes over a nine-week period. Body composition was assessed through measurements of height, body mass, and body circumferences, in addition to bioelectrical impedance analysis. Cardiac evaluation included blood pressure measurement, cardiac and pulmonary auscultation, resting electrocardiogram, and exercise stress testing (EST). Quality of life was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and surgical risk was determined through a cardiological evaluation based on clinical and complementary examinations. Data were tabulated and analyzed using GraphPad Prism 6.0 (GraphPad, San Diego, CA, USA). Results were expressed as measures of central tendency and variability, as well as absolute and relative frequencies, and were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. Normality was verified using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Comparisons were performed using the paired Student’s t-test, while associations were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Effect sizes were classified according to Cohen’s criteria (1988). Following the training period, significant reductions were observed in abdominal circumference and right and left thigh circumferences, accompanied by improvements in glycemic control among participants. Regarding BMI classification, no changes in obesity grade were observed at the end of the intervention. In the distribution of clinical conditions and risk factors, variables such as prediabetes, dyslipidemia, and smoking showed a percentage reduction after the intervention. Exercise stress test results demonstrated a significant increase in maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and improved cardiorespiratory fitness, evidenced by a reduction in participants classified as “Very Poor” and an increase in the “Fair” and “Good” categories. The findings also revealed a positive impact on surgical risk, as eight of the twelve participants initially classified as high risk were reclassified as low risk after completing the training protocol. Regarding quality of life, the domains of bodily pain, emotional role functioning, and mental health showed significant improvements following the intervention. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between the distance covered during the exercise stress test and VO2max with mental health scores, indicating that participants with better mental health outcomes also exhibited superior cardiorespiratory fitness. In conclusion, supervised aerobic training during the preoperative period of bariatric surgery promoted relevant clinical, functional, and cardiometabolic benefits, including improved cardiorespiratory fitness, reduced surgical risk, and enhanced quality of life. These findings reinforce the importance of physical exercise as a complementary strategy in preoperative preparation for bariatric surgery.
Keywords: Obesity; Bariatric surgery; Aerobic training; Cardiorespiratory fitness; Quality of life; Surgical risk.
