Usefulness of an Easy, Structured, and Home-Based Exercise Program to Improve Physical Performance and Quality of Life in a Patient’s Cohort with Obesity

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The benefits of exercise in patients with obesity are clear; physical performance and quality of life improve after exercise programs in patients with obesity. Our aim was to evaluate the usefulness of an easy, structured, and home-based exercise program to improve physical performance and quality-of-life in patients with obesity. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A cohort of patients with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) was recruited during 2017–2020. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were invited and those who accepted signed informed consent. Patients were evaluated by the same team of physicians who performed the 6-min walking test and collected the clinical and biochemical variables, also applied quality-of-life questionnaire at baseline and 3 months after starting the exercise program that was divided in two levels: level 1: active mobilization of four limbs (15 min) + cardiovascular exercise (15 min walking), 5 days/week; level 2: eight strengthening exercises for upper and lower limbs with an elastic band + cardiovascular exercise (15 min walking), 5 days/week. This study used means (SD), frequencies (percent), Student's <i>t</i> test, and Pearson correlation test. <b><i>Results:</i></b> We included 151 patients, mostly women (81.5%), age 46.3 ± 9.8 years old, BMI 40.3 ± 8.56 kg/m², 34.4% performed some type of exercise, and the most frequents comorbidities were dyslipidemia and diabetes. After 3 months, 86 patients (57%) remained in the study and attended the final evaluation. Evident changes in physical performance were reported (distance traveled, speed walking and VO_2max); however, improvement in quality of life was remarkable. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> An easy, structured, and home-based exercise program improves physical performance and quality of life in patients with obesity, without losing its benefits for the health.