Follow-Up of Fitness in Overweight Patients Treated With Physical Activity

Although there is increasing evidence that low physical fitness is a risk factor for many non-communicable diseases, the early identification of subjects at risk remains inadequate due to the absence of clear anamnestic and clinical criteria. Defining physical fitness. For the same reason, the monitoring of subjects following lifestyle interventions remains suboptimal. The aim of this study is to develop a simple field tool to non-invasively assess global physical fitness in overweight patients participating to a physical activity program. Male and female overweight subjects referred to a physical activity intervention by their primary care physician will be included. Within this program, they will take part to 2 weekly supervised activity sessions during which participants will be instructed by a specialist in adapted physical activity, and 2-3 weekly session of unsupervised physical activity which will be performed according to detailed instructions regarding intensity and duration. In addition, participants will take part to teaching sessions in group of 4-6 patients, addressing the effects of physical activity on metabolism, contra-indications to physical activity, self-monitoring of exercise, and prevention of injuries Their physical fitness will be assessed at inclusion (ie before starting the exercise program) and at the end of the 3-month program. This will be done by calculating a Global Fitness Score (GFS) based on performances attained and cardiovascular responses observed during physical exercises (3 min step test with measurement of heart rate and blood pressure, number of time subject can stand from a chair within 1 min., handgrip strength measure, "reach-test" to assess osteo-articular mobility of back and hips, balance test). Results obtained from this GFS will be compared to maximal power output calculated from a submaximal spirometry at 25, 50, 75 and 100 W M.