The whole-body electromyostimulation associated to active exercises enhance functional capacity but not on the cardiac autonomic modulation, in early rehabilitation after bariatric surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Morbid obesity has a negative impact on functional capacity (fc) and cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM). Bariatric surgery (BS) has been adopted as a strategy to reduce morbidity and mortality. Early rehabilitation after BS could benefit the fc and CAM. However, due to the limitations imposed by surgical procedure, vigorous exercises cannot always be applied early. The whole-body electromyostimulation (WBS) added to active exercises may potentialize the benefits on CAM and fc. Methods: Randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial. Twenty obese subjects (38±7years; BMI=39±4kg/m2) were randomized and assigned to Sham (n=10) and Intervention (n=10) groups. A WBS (Miha Bodytec) was applied associated with active exercises during 30 days, 1 week after BS. The Sham group performed the same exercises with an off current. Before and after training, heart rate (HR) and R-R intervals were recorded (10min) in orthostasis. Subjects also underwent a six-minute walk test. The unpaired t-test [compare difference of distance covered (∆DC) pre and post intervention] and a two-way ANOVA test were performed (p Results: After intervention, lower values of mean HR and higher values of mean RR, STDRR, RMSSD, RRTri, SD1, and SD2 were found in both groups. There was interaction between time and groups in all variables (p>0.05). However, the ∆DC was higher in Intervention Group (-111±73m vs -43±64m) than in Sham. Conclusions: Early intervention composed by active physical exercises in addition to WBS enhanced submaximal performance, however, did not impact in CAM.