Effects of High-Intensity Interval, Moderate-Intensity Continuous, Combined with Strength Training on Quality of Life and Functional Capacity Indices in Women with Sarcopenic Obesity following Bariatric Surgery
Keywords:
Quality of life, balance, muscle strength, aerobic capacity, sarcopenic obesity, bariatric surgeryAbstract
Sarcopenic obesity, as an emerging public health challenge, requires integrated interventions including surgery and targeted exercise programs to improve functional indices and quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) combined with resistance exercises on quality of life and functional capacity in women with sarcopenic obesity following bariatric surgery. Eighty women with sarcopenic obesity who had undergone bariatric surgery (mean age: 41.67 ± 10.56 years; BMI: 43.66 ± 4.8 kg/m²) and met the inclusion criteria were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to HIIT or MICT groups. Each group was further divided into two subgroups based on the type of surgery: sleeve and bypass (n = 20 per subgroup). The eight-week intervention included HIIT (four 4-minute bouts at 85–90% of heart rate reserve) and MICT (three 40-minute sessions per week at 65–75% of heart rate reserve). In both groups, supplementary resistance exercises were performed using elastic bands tailored to each participant’s estimated one-repetition maximum. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire), baseline physical activity level (GPAQ), body composition, aerobic fitness (6MWT), muscle strength (sit-to-stand and handgrip dynamometer tests), and balance (TUG test). Data were analyzed using ANCOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests at a significance level of α ≤ 0.05. ANCOVA results revealed significant differences in overall quality of life (except for general health) among the four groups (p < 0.003), with the MICT-sleeve group showing superior outcomes. Significant between-group differences were also observed in fat mass (η² = 0.15, p = 0.007), body mass index (η² = 0.36, p < 0.001), aerobic fitness (η² = 0.30, p < 0.001), lower-limb strength (η² = 0.14, p = 0.009), and balance (η² = 0.27, p < 0.001). The MICT-bypass group demonstrated lower aerobic fitness and leg strength but better balance than some other groups. Overall, these findings indicate that structured exercise training following bariatric surgery—particularly moderate-intensity continuous training combined with resistance exercise—can significantly enhance quality of life, body composition, balance, and functional capacity in women with sarcopenic obesity.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Mastaneh Rajabian Tabesh (Author); Rahman Soori; Fatemeh Shabkhiz, Alireza Khalaj (Author)
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