The effect of 6 months of structured strength or endurance exercise program on weight loss after gastric bypass...

To examine the effects of differently structured exercise programs (strength training (ST) vs endurance training (ET) vs a control group (CG)) on glucose metabolism and weight loss following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB).

After RYGB, patients were randomized to a standardized ST or ET program or a control group, the intervention started within 28 days. Outcomes at 6 months were glucose and lipid metabolism, anthropometrics, inflammation, and quality of life.

93 patients were randomized (30 in ST and 31 in ET, 32 in CG; 28% with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 8.5% insulin-dependent). Total weight was - 2.5 kg (95% CI - 4.7 to - 0.4, p = 0.023) lower in pooled intervention group (PIG) and fat mass according to bioelectrical impedance analysis was - 3.0 kg (95% CI - 5.0 to - 1.0, p = 0.0037) lower in the PIG. Fat-free mass decreased by - 4.2 kg with no difference between the groups. The primary endpoint, glucose concentration after a 2 h oral glucose tolerance test, did not differ between the PIG and the CG, - 0.29 mmol/L (95% CI - 1.22 to 0.63, p = 0.54). Similarly, we did not detect any differences in lipid metabolism, inflammation, and quality of life between the groups.

In our study, we found that an additional exercise training 6 months postoperatvely- independent of the type of training- resulted in greater weight loss and loss of fat mass. However, it had no effect on glucose/lipid parameters or inflammation beyond the surgery itself.