Aptidão física, perceção de saúde e hábitos de atividade física num grupo de doentes com diferentes Doenças Crónicas Não Transmissíveis

Abstract

Non-communicable Chronic Diseases are one of the main causes of mortality worldwide, and their treatment requires the intervention of a multidisciplinary team that contributes to changing dietary habits as well as prescribing an Exercise Plan. This study was conducted within the scope of the hospital´s Outpatient Nutrition Consultation to compare a group that followed a structured Exercise Plan with other group that only received advice to increase daily Physical Activity, both groups having an individualized meal or recommendations plan. For this intervention, anthropometric data, Body Composition, and Physical Fitness of the patients were collected as well as questionnaires regarding Physical Activity, Quality of Life, and the importance of an Exercise Physiologist in a hospital setting. The study included 41 adults of both genders, with 19 in the Control Group and 22 in the Intervention Group and all of them were evaluated at two different times, 2 months apart. There was a statistically significant reduction in Weight and Body Mass Index in the Intervention Group. Fat Mass increased in the Control Group and significantly reduced in the Intervention Group, while Lean Mass decreased in both groups. Waist circumference showed significant reductions in both groups, with a more pronounced reduction in the Intervention Group. Regarding the Physical Fitness tests, both groups increased strength in the Handgrip and Sit-to-Stand tests, more evidently in the Intervention Group. Regarding Quality of Life and Physical Activity questionnaires, both groups showed improvements and seemed to consider the importance of the role of an Exercise Physiologist in a hospital setting. The combination of a meal plan with an Exercise Plan appears to help in weight reduction and control of Fat Mass, and maintenance of Lean Mass.