Road Running After Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity: Rationale and Results of a New Protocol

In recent years, the pandemic explosion of obesity has led to the definition of a pre-eminent therapeutic role for bariatric surgery, confining physical activity to a success parameter of surgery rather than a primary prevention measure. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role for aerobic physical activity (road running) in strengthening the metabolic and psychosocial effects of bariatric surgery.

Ten patients who underwent gastric bypass for morbid obesity were submitted to an intensive program of road running training, aimed at completing a 10.5-km competition in September 2013. Inclusion criteria included age (<50), BMI (<35), suitability for sport activity, and good compliance. A cohort of 10 patients excluded for logistical issues were enrolled as a control group. During the training period, patients were submitted to biometrical, sport performance, cardiopulmonary, metabolic, and psychiatric evaluations.

Protocol adherence was 70 %; no physical injury was registered among participants. More than weight loss (BMI 29.3 to 27.1), the runners experienced a redistribution of body mass with significant differences in fat percentage and waist/hip ratio. Participants had a significant running performance improvement and, differently from the controls, a significant amelioration of echocardiographic and cardiopulmonary parameters, predicting a reduction in cardiovascular risk. Psychiatric evaluation underlined a tendency to a reduction in anxiety, depression, and general psychopathology symptoms.

Road running seems to have an important supporting role in boosting bariatric surgery results. The utilization of monitored and regulated training programs represents a fundamental prerequisite to achieving satisfactory results and patient compliance.