Adherence to and effects on physical function parameters of a community-based standardised exercise programme for overweight or obese patients carried out by local sports clubs

- Only a small number (approx. 10%) of overweight and obese patients could be enrolled in community-based exercise programmes.
- Every second overweight or obese patient, who started with an exercise programme, became a sports club member after 6 months.
- Physical function parameter & quality of life significantly improved in those patients, who became active sports-club members.

ObjectivesTo evaluate the adherence to a sports-club-based standardised real-life exercise programme for overweight or obese patients. The effects on physical function parameters, anthropometry and quality of life were also assessed.Study designWithin this prospective cohort study data from patients in Austrian sports-club-based programmes were analysed.MethodsSports-club-based programmes were held twice a week and carried out by local trainers. The target group was overweight or obese patients. Adherence was determined after 2 and 6 months, and physical function parameters were evaluated at baseline and after 2 months.ResultsA total of 71 patients (age: 52.0; standard deviation [SD: 12.1] years; body mass index [BMI]: 37.3 [SD: 8.2] kg/m2) took part in the study. Within the first 2 months the adherence rate was 62%, while 20% (14/71) participated in ≥75% of all offered sessions. After 6 months, 49% (17/35) of the retained sample still participated regularly in an exercise class. At baseline, muscle strength represented only 70% of the age- and sex-specific reference values and could be increased in a range from +4.0% (1.3 [SD: 3.0] kg; muscular endurance for the pectoral muscles) to +22.5% (16.1 [SD: 17.5] kg) (muscular endurance for the lower limb muscles). Concerning endurance capacity, the heart rate for a constant submaximal workload decreased from 126.4 (SD: 21.7) beats per minute at baseline to 120.9 (SD: 21.1) after 2 months (P < 0.001).ConclusionsSports clubs, as a non-clinical setting, can offer attractive standardised exercise programmes for a minority of overweight or obese patients. Long term changes in life-style, that result in sufficient levels of health enhancing physical activity still remain a huge public health challenge.