Effects of Hybrid-Type Multicomponent Exercise Training on Cardiopulmonary Capacity, Resting Metabolic Rate, and Muscle Strength Following Bariatric Surgery

Abstract Background The aim is to investigate the effects of a hybrid-type multicomponent exercise program on muscle strength, resting metabolic rate (RMR), cardiopulmonary capacity (VO 2 peak), and body composition after bariatric surgery. Methods Twenty adults (5 males, 15 females; BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ) who underwent sleeve gastrectomy were evenly assigned to a hybrid-type multicomponent exercise group (HEG) or a Control Group (CG). Three months after the surgery, the HEG commenced a hybrid exercise program, which was undertaken three days per week for a period of four months. A range of health and fitness metrics were measured at the beginning of the study and after the intervention, including musclular strength, body composition, skeletal muscle index (SMI), VO2max, and RMR. Exercise effects were analysed using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA, with sex included as a covariate to account for any differences between the groups. Results Significant time effects were observed for all anthropometric and body composition variables in both groups ( p 0.05). In contrast, significant time × group interactions with large effect sizes were found for all upper- and lower-extremity strength measures ( p < 0.001), favoring the HEG, with the greatest gains in the lower extremities ( p < 0.001). Handgrip strength and relative VO ₂ peak increased significantly only in the HEG ( p < 0.001). Physical activity levels increased markedly in the HEG ( p = 0.003), with all participants classified as highly active post-intervention, while the CG largely remained in low or moderate categories ( p < 0.001). Conclusion Although the hybrid-type multicomponent exercise program does not prevent early postoperative reductions in RMR and lean body mass after bariatric surgery, it provides associated with functional and metabolic benefits by improving muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity levels, and adiposity-related outcomes, thereby supporting functional capacity.