Functional evaluation (Joint and muscle problems, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, disability evaluation)

Abstract

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and osteoarthritis. Moreover, severe obesity is often associated with disability. All these conditions result in a reduced life expectancy and in a reduced exercise capacity. It is well known the positive effect of physical activity in combination with dietary and behavioral modifications on obesity condition. In order to reach these positive effects, the exercise program needs to be tailored according to the individual’s physical function, health status, exercise responses, and stated goals. For all these reasons, functional evaluation plays a fundamental role to individualize type, mode, and intensity of exercise with the subjects’ characteristics. Functional evaluation should be performed taking into consideration the clinical conditions and the physical capacity of obese subjects. In fact, they show a low cardiorespiratory fitness, which is expressed by reduced oxygen uptake (VO2), decreased daily activity, and low exercise tolerance.