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

Objectives: To 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 design: Within this prospective cohort study data from patients in Austrian sports-club-based programmes were analysed.

Methods: Sports-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.

Results: A 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).

Conclusions: Sports 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.