Wendell Wilmoth

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-22-2008

Abstract

Objective: While there has been a great deal of research on obstructive sleep apnea and its association with obesity, there is little documentation in the primary literature concerning weight loss and improved physical fitness after medical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. This study will document the effects of a reduced calorie diet combined with aerobic conditioning and strength training on a subject who has been treated surgically for obstructive sleep apnea. Methods: The subject participated in a 12-week structured fitness and nutritional program for weight reduction. Pre-program baseline measurements including weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat composition, and waist measurement were established. A pre-program baseline of physical fitness capability was established including a timed 1.5 mile run along with maximum repetitions of specific callisthenic and strength exercises performed with a 2 minute time limit. All physical fitness training activity was recorded, including elapsed times, repetitions, weight levels, and exercise intensity attained. Daily dietary intake, including grams of carbohydrate, protein, and fat, as well as total calories consumed were recorded in a program log. At program completion monitored parameters were analyzed for percent change from baseline. Results: The dietary calculations revealed an average intake of 1237 total calories per day. This was broken down into 61% carbohydrates, 26% protein, and 13% fat. The subject had a total weight loss of 41 pounds during the 12 week program, corresponding to a 16.5% decrease from a baseline of 248 pounds. BMI was reduced from 37.7 to 31.5, a 16.4% decrease. Body fat percentage was reduced from 36.6% to 28%, a decrease from baseline of 23.5%. Patients waist size decreased from 42 inches to 36 inches, a decrease of 14.3% from baseline. The subject decreased his time in the 1.5 mile run from 15:36 to 12:23, a decrease of 20.4% from baseline. The subject improved his 2 minute pushup maximum from 26 to 53, a 104% increase. The number of sit-ups in 2 minutes was increased from 41 to 76, an increase of 85% from baseline. Conclusion: The subject of the case-study was able to achieve gains in physical fitness as well as weight loss by following a highly structured nutritional plan combined with aerobic conditioning and strength training.'

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