Weight Loss and Physical Activity Reduces Perceived Physical Fatigability Among Older Adults With Obesity
Authors' conclusion
Multiple physical activity strategies in conjunction with weight loss improved perceived physical fatigability over time among older adults with obesity.
Study context
- Population
- Older adults with obesity in a dietary weight loss program (caloric deficit ≈400 kcal/day, weekly dietitian support); 69.6 ± 4.3 years, 77% female, 74% White, BMI 35.6 ± 3.8 kg/m²randomized to 3 groups
- Participants
- 183 adults
- Comparison
- Aerobic exercise vs daylong movement vs combination, each with dietary weight loss
- Aerobic exercisen = 60
- Daylong movementn = 63
- Combinationn = 60
- Primary endpoint
- Perceived physical fatigability: PFS Physical score (0-50) and RPE after a 5-min 0% grade treadmill walk (6-20); higher = greater fatigability
- Follow-up
- Baseline, 6 months and 18 months
Methodological detailsthree-arm
- Three-arm
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
PFS Physical score change from baseline (all participants) · 6 months
Change in PFS score, baseline to 6 months (p = 0.002)
−4.4 points
Change in PFS score, baseline to 18 months (p = 0.03)
−3.0 points
Further findings
Baseline fatigability
- PFS Physical score, mean ± SD
- 20.6 ± 7.6
- RPE Fatigability, mean ± SD
- 9.6 ± 1.9
Original publication
Weight Loss and Physical Activity Reduces Perceived Physical Fatigability Among Older Adults With Obesity. Obesity (Silver Spring). Published 9 September 2026. doi:10.
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