Background: This study investigated the effects of mobility restrictions (MRs) during the COVID-19 epidemic on physical activity, body composition, and exercise tolerance in patients with obesity.
Methods: We analyzed data of obesity patients participating in a 6-month weight loss program in February 2020, and after, when the epidemic was considered to have had some effect on outdoor activity in Osaka, Japan (MR group). MR group patients were compared to patients with obesity attending the program in 2018 and 2019 (non-MR group) who had a similar number of months as MR group. Changes in physical activity, body composition, and exercise tolerance (O2 consumption; VO2) owing to the weight loss program were analyzed between both groups using analysis of covariance and logistic regression analysis.
Results: Decreases in body fat were significantly higher in MR group than in non-MR group. However, increases in physical activity, VO2 at anaerobic threshold, and peak VO2 were significantly lower in MR group; however, increases in peak VO2 owing to the weight loss program were less likely to be achieved in MR group (odds ratio, 0.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.06-0.81).
Conclusion: MR during the COVID-19 epidemic may have affected the exercise tolerance of patients with obesity.
Keywords: COVID-19; lifestyle; weight loss.