2017/09/01 by Ahmad Sabbahi, Ross Arena, Joel Woldt +6
Medicine · #Cardiovascular and exercise physiology #Nutrition and Health in Aging #Physical Activity and Health
paper · doi:10.1080/09593985.2017.1368757
openalex publication_date 2017/09/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to determine the efficacy of a current physical therapy and weight loss program model on exercise performance, physical function, and cardiometabolic risk factors in obese patients. DESIGN: Retrospective pre-post design. SUBJECTS: A total of 192 patients who previously underwent testing of anthropometric measurements, cardiovascular biomarkers, and lower extremity function scale (LEFS) were included. RESULTS: ) increased by [5.29 ± 4.74 (95% CI, 4.38 to 6.19) ml/kg/min; p < 0.001; n = 107], and lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) improved by [9 ± 11 (95% CI, 7 to 12) scale points; p < 0.001; n = 75]. Both systolic (pre SBP: 125.7 ± 15 vs. post SBP: 118.4 ± 12 mmHg; p < 0.001; n = 150) and diastolic (pre DBP: 78.5 ± 10 vs. post DBP: 74 ± 8.5 mmHg; p < 0.001; n = 150) blood pressures as well as fasting blood glucose (pre FBG: 112.8 ± 37 vs. post FBG: 99 ± 18 mg/dL; p < 0.001; n = 132) were significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates the importance and significance of weight loss in improving physical function and cardiometabolic risk profiles across a cohort of outpatient physical therapy patients. Our study also suggests that weight loss can be achieved in a comprehensive exercise intensive physical therapy program for obese patients.