Effects of physical exercise following bariatric and metabolic surgery: An integrative review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62827/fb.v27i9.1355Keywords:
Obesity; Bariatric Surgery; Exercise; Resistance Training; Functional Status.Abstract
Introduction: Metabolic surgery promotes significant weight loss and improves clinical and metabolic parameters; however, it may be accompanied by a reduction in muscle mass, which can lead to the development or worsening of sarcopenic obesity. In view of this, physical exercise has been used as a strategy for preserving body composition and promoting functional recovery during the perioperative period. Objective: To analyse and synthesise the available evidence regarding the effects of structured physical exercise in the post-operative period on body composition, muscle parameters and functional capacity in adults who have undergone bariatric and metabolic surgery, taking into account the applicability of the findings to sarcopenic obesity. Methods: This is an integrative literature review; the search was conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE and Virtual Health Library (BVS) databases, using search terms related to metabolic surgery, physical exercise and sarcopenic obesity. Studies published between 2016 and 2026, available in full text, in Portuguese, English or Spanish, were included. The selection process followed the stages of identification, screening, eligibility assessment and inclusion. Results: The search yielded 108 studies in the selected databases. After removing duplicates and applying the eligibility criteria, six studies with a primary design were included in the review. The results demonstrated favourable effects of exercise, particularly on muscle strength, functional capacity and cardiorespiratory fitness. Combined protocols showed favourable results for the preservation of fat-free mass, whilst resistance training was more strongly associated with improvements in muscle strength. The effects on muscle mass were heterogeneous. Conclusion: Post-operative physical exercise yielded favourable results, particularly in terms of muscle strength and functional capacity. The effects on muscle mass were mixed, and the lack of a standardised diagnosis of sarcopenic obesity limits the direct application of the findings to this population.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Isadora Barbosa Castro, Isabel Andretto de Oliveira, Maria Eduarda Galdino Palmério, Gabriela Sensi Santhiago, Luiz Eduardo de Costa Góes (Autor)
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