Resistance Training following Metabolic-Bariatric Surgery: Motivators, Barriers, and Preferences

Introduction: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) leads to substantial muscle mass loss. Resistance training (RT) is an effective strategy to maintain muscle mass. This study aimed to gain insight into the motivators, barriers, and preferences that are correlated with RT uptake after MBS.

A digital survey assessing RT was sent to patients who had MBS 1-18 months prior. Patient characteristics were extracted from electronic health records. Motivators, barriers, and preferences were assessed with a questionnaire and compared across three groups: patients currently engaged in RT (RT-group), previously engaged in RT (ex-RT), or never engaged in RT (non-RT).

Among 1,609 participants (77% female, 47 ± 11 years old, BMI 42 ± 5 kg/m2), 68% were classified as RT-group, 11% as ex-RT, and 21% as non-RT. The RT-group reported improving fitness (78% vs. 67%), mental health (65% vs. 43%), and overall health (63% vs. 41%) more often as motivators for RT than the ex-RT. RT barriers were comparable between ex-RT and non-RT, most frequently lack of motivation (37% vs. 40%), time (33% vs. 28%), enjoyment (29% vs. 29%), and physical complaints (39% vs. 37%). Ex-RT and non-RT reported a preferred exercise frequency of 2 sessions/week with 30 min/session, in their home setting with a training schedule and guidance from a professional.

The majority of participants in our study engaged in RT. We identified improving overall fitness and limiting strength or muscle loss as motivators, lack of motivation, physical complaints, lack of time and enjoyment as barriers, and professional guidance and a training schedule for RT at home as facilitators, which were correlated to RT uptake after MBS.