ATUAÇÃO DA FISIOTERAPIA NA INVESTIGAÇÃO DA SARCOPENIA E DESEMPENHO FÍSICO EM PACIENTES PÓS BARIÁTRICOS

Abstract

In Brazil, there has been a significant increase in obesity among the adult population, with prevalence rising from 12.2% to 26.8% between 2003 and 2019. Significant weight loss, particularly after bariatric surgery, is associated with a reduction in muscle mass, which may lead to decreased physical performance and, in more severe cases, the development of sarcopenia. This study aimed to highlight the importance of physiotherapeutic assessment in individuals aged 20 to 50 years who underwent bariatric surgery more than two years prior, in order to identify the incidence of decreased physical performance and the development of early sarcopenia. Data collection was carried out through questionnaires assessing post-bariatric lifestyle, identification of patients at risk of sarcopenia, and functional evaluations using the five-times sit-to-stand test, handgrip dynamometry, and bioelectrical impedance analysis. The results showed that 52.17% of participants did not engage in physical activity, 65.21% presented reduced upper limb strength, and 95.65% maintained good lower limb functionality. Additionally, more than 65% of patients presented sarcopenic obesity, and 100% were classified as having secondary pre-sarcopenia. It was concluded that physiotherapeutic assessment in post-bariatric patients is effective in the early and late identification of these conditions, reinforcing its importance in enabling more effective treatment strategies and improving patient prognosis.