A nonrandomized trial of a pre-operative physical activity program on bariatric surgery candidates as evaluated by pre- and post-operative physical activity- and obesity-related biomarkers

Physical activity, obesity, and bariatric surgery independently exert effects on cytokines related to inflammation. Less is known of the effect of a physical activity intervention on the cytokine profile of obese patients prior to undergoing bariatric surgery, particularly since the standard cytokine profile of a bariatric surgery candidate is not established. Indices contained within the cytokine profile may predict suitability for bariatric surgery and prognosticate long-term outcomes. This thesis will examine the cytokine profile of 20 patients of the Centre for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in Winnipeg, Manitoba in addition to the effects of a 16 week pre-operative physical activity intervention for 7 of those patients. The study recruited patients (n=26, BMI = 47.1 ± 6.2) from the Centre for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (CMBS) in Winnipeg, Manitoba between September 2017 and May 2018. A time-series quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the effect of the intervention, which took place at the University of Manitoba's Active Living Centre. Outcomes measured included physical fitness, cardiovascular disease risk, mental health, and self-compassion measurements. The focus of this thesis will be to examine the effect of the intervention on several biomarkers found in tissue samples drawn at the baseline and 16-week time points. These measurements will include cytokines as measured via magnetic bead multiplex assay. Significance was reached in several pre-post improvements of cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength as well as mental health, including the primary outcome of 6 minute walk test. Baseline cytokine profiles of 20 participants were comparable to demographically similar cohorts. Pre-post changes in cytokine profiles did not reach significance. Significant correlations were found between baseline and 16-week cytokine data and leg press and/or BMI. The intervention effectively improved several measures of health and is generalizable to oth