The Impact of a Pre-Operative Exercise Program on Fitness Outcomes Following Bariatric Surgery

Patients will be provided with a tour of the Reh-Fit Centre, exercise prescription, and supervised exercise session. The exercise prescription consists of 3 weekly 60-minute sessions, each with 10 minutes warm-up, 30 minutes endurance, 20 minutes strength training and 5 minutes cool-down. The program is overseen by an accredited Exercise Physiologist. Initial exercise intensity is determined by the kinesiologist and based on the patient's baseline fitness level. Goal intensity of endurance activity is based on the heart rate reserve (HRR) method. This is captured with a heart rate monitor at initial assessment and recorded on exercise logs. There are check-ins at each exercise session to determine progress (time, reps, weight, sets, etc). Endurance activities include treadmill, elliptical, walking, and aerobics. Strength training includes upper body, lower body, and trunk circuits. Patients will be asked to attend three weekly sessions at the Reh-Fit Centre.