The effect of endurance and endurance-strength training on body composition and cardiometabolic markers in abdominally obese women: a randomised trial

High-fiber diet and rope-skipping benefit cardiometabolic health and modulate gut microbiota in young adults: A randomized controlled trial

Previous studies have shown that high intake of dietary fiber (DF) and efficient levels of physical activity are beneficial for cardiometabolic health in middle-aged and elderly populations with cardiometabolic disease. However, evidence from young adults with low cardiometabolic risk is lacking. This study aimed to investigate the effects of various interventions including a high-fiber (HF) diet and the rope-skipping (RS) exercise on cardiometabolic risk factors (CRFs) and the composition of the gut microbiota in young adults. A 12-week parallel-designed randomized controlled trial was conducted in undergraduates (n = 96), who were randomly assigned to the HF group (≥20 g/d DF), the RS group (2000 jumps/week), and the control (CON) group. Among the 84 people who completed the trial, measurements of anthropometric characteristics, biochemical parameters, and gut microbiota were taken at the beginning and end of the intervention. After the intervention, the RS exercise led to a significant decrease in the heart rate and triglyceride levels compared to the CON group (all P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in CRFs between the HF and CON groups. When compared to baseline, the 12-week HF diet intervention resulted in an increase in fat-free mass, and a decrease in the percentage of body fat and waist circumference (all P < 0.05). With regard to gut microbiota alterations after intervention, we found that compared with the CON group, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus decreased significantly in both the HF group and the RS group, Muribaculaceae decreased in the RS group, and Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group decreased in the HF group (all P < 0.05). Finally, shifts in 7 metabolic pathways were detected in the RS group using predictive functional profiling, while only one pathway was altered in the HF group (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, the RS exercise improved body composition compared to the CON group in young adults, while the HF diet just enhanced CRFs in contrast to baseline. Furthermore, both RS and HF interventions altered Lactobacillus and various other gut microbiota. The results indicated that the HF diet and RS exercise could partly benefit cardiometabolic health and modulate gut microbiota in young adults. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04834687.

Effects of concurrent exercise training on body composition, systemic inflammation, and components of metabolic syndrome in inactive academics: a randomised controlled trial

PURPOSE

Low physical activity in the academic workplace may increase the risk of cardiometabolic disease. This randomised controlled trial investigated the effect of 14 weeks of concurrent exercise training (CT) on components of metabolic syndrome, body composition, insulin resistance, and markers of systemic inflammation in inactive academics.

METHODS

59 inactive academics were randomised into a CT (n = 29) or wait-list control group (n = 30). CT performed supervised training at an onsite facility 3 times per week for 14 weeks and cardiometabolic health was assessed pre- and post-intervention. Aerobic capacity was measured via a metabolic cart. Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry measured fat mass, lean mass, and central adiposity. Fasting blood samples were analysed for interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), glucose, and lipid profile.

RESULTS

Following the intervention, there was a decrease in fat mass (mean ± SD;  - 1.3 ± 1.4%), android fat mass (median (IQR);  - 0.06 (0.27) kg), and visceral adipose tissue (median (IQR);  - 66 (110) cm³) in CT, but not control. Lean mass (median (IQR); 1.35 (1.86) kg) and aerobic capacity (mean ± SD; 4.0 ± 3.1 mL/kg/min) increased in CT, but not in control. There were no changes in IL-6, TNF-a, HOMA-IR, glucose, or lipid profile in response to the intervention (P > 0.05). Changes in insulin resistance were positively associated with IL-6 in the control group only (coefficients [95%CI]; 5.957 [2.961, 8.953]).

CONCLUSION

Implementing combined aerobic and resistance exercise training programs in academic institutions may be an appropriate intervention to increase physical activity and reduce risk factors associated with cardiometabolic disease.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry on the  23rd  of April, 2019 (ACTRN12619000608167).

Comparison of the Effect of Endurance, Strength and Endurance-Strength Training on Glucose and Insulin Homeostasis and the Lipid Profile of Overweight and Obese Subjects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The most effective type of training to improve cardiometabolic parameters in overweight subjects is unknown. This meta-analysis compared the effect of endurance, strength and combined training on glucose, insulin metabolism and the lipid profile of overweight and obese adults. The Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched to identify randomised trials assessing the effect of training intervention on fasting and 2 h glucose and insulin levels, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA), C-peptide, total cholesterol (TC), low- (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides (TG). Forty-six studies were included showing that endurance training more favourably reduced HbA1c (p = 0.044), and LDL-C (p = 0.021) than strength training. Endurance-strength training more effectively decreased glucose (p = 0.002), HbA1c (p = 0.032), HOMA (p = 0.002), TC (p = 0.039), LDL-C (p = 0.046), HDL (p = 0.036) and TG levels (p = 0.025) than strength training. Combined training significantly reduced the HOMA index (p = 0.009) and TG levels (p = 0.039) compared with endurance training. Endurance and endurance-strength training have a more favourable effect on glucose and insulin homeostasis and lipid profile than strength training in overweight and obese adults. However, the results from this meta-analysis should be interpreted cautiously due to significant heterogeneity among included studies.

Dynamic Resistance Exercise Alters Blood ApoA-I Levels, Inflammatory Markers, and Metabolic Syndrome Markers in Elderly Women

Combined endurance and dynamic-resistance exercise has important anti-inflammatory effects, altering vascular endothelial function, and helping to prevent and treat aging-related metabolic syndrome (MS). We studied changes in 40 elderly women aged ≥ 65 years (control group (no MS), n = 20, mean age: 68.23 ± 2.56 years; MS group, n = 19, mean age: 71.42 ± 5.87 years; one left). The exercise program comprised dynamic-resistance training using elastic bands, three times weekly, for six months. We analyzed body composition, blood pressure, physical fitness, and MS-related blood variables including ApoA-I, antioxidant factors, and inflammatory markers. After the program, the MS group showed significant reductions in waist-hip ratio, waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, blood insulin, and HOMA-IR, and a significant increase in HSP70 (p < 0.05). Both groups showed significant increases in ApoA-I levels, ApoA-I/HDL-C ratio, SOD2, IL-4, and IL-5 levels (p < 0.05). Active-resistance training-induced changes in ApoA-I were significantly positively correlated with changes in HDL-C and HSP70, and significantly negatively correlated with changes in triglycerides, C-reactive protein, and TNF-α (p < 0.05). Active-resistance training qualitatively altered HDL, mostly by altering ApoA-I levels, relieving vascular inflammation, and improving antioxidant function. This provides evidence that dynamic-resistance exercise can improve physical fitness and MS risk factors in elderly women.

The Effect of Endurance and Endurance-Strength Training on Bone Health and Body Composition in Centrally Obese Women-A Randomised Pilot Trial

There is no consensus exercise programme to reduce body weight and improve body composition simultaneously preventing bone loss or stimulating osteogenesis. This pilot study compared the effect of endurance and endurance-strength training on body composition and bone metabolism in centrally obese women. Recruited subjects were randomly assigned to three-month endurance (n = 22) or endurance-strength training (n = 22). Body composition, bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC) were assessed before and after the intervention and markers of bone formation and resorption were measured. Both training significantly decreased fat mass; however, endurance-strength training had a more favourable effect on lean mass for the gynoid area (p = 0.0211) and legs (p = 0.0381). Endurance training significantly decreased total body BMC and BMD (p = 0.0440 and p = 0.0300), whereas endurance-strength training only reduced BMD (p = 0.0063). Changes in densitometric parameters did not differ between the groups but endurance training increased osteocalcin levels (p = 0.04845), while endurance-strength training increased tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b concentrations (p = 0.00145). In conclusion, both training programmes were effective in the reduction of fat mass simultaneously negatively affecting bone health. However, endurance-strength training seemed to be more effective in increasing lean mass. The study protocol was registered in the ClinicalTrials.gov database under the number NCT03444207, date of registration: 23 February 2018 (retrospective registration).

Physiological Changes and Pathological Pain Associated with Sedentary Lifestyle-Induced Body Systems Fat Accumulation and Their Modulation by Physical Exercise

A sedentary lifestyle is associated with overweight/obesity, which involves excessive fat body accumulation, triggering structural and functional changes in tissues, organs, and body systems. Research shows that this fat accumulation is responsible for several comorbidities, including cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and metabolic dysfunctions, as well as pathological pain behaviors. These health concerns are related to the crosstalk between adipose tissue and body systems, leading to pathophysiological changes to the latter. To deal with these health issues, it has been suggested that physical exercise may reverse part of these obesity-related pathologies by modulating the cross talk between the adipose tissue and body systems. In this context, this review was carried out to provide knowledge about (i) the structural and functional changes in tissues, organs, and body systems from accumulation of fat in obesity, emphasizing the crosstalk between fat and body tissues; (ii) the crosstalk between fat and body tissues triggering pain; and (iii) the effects of physical exercise on body tissues and organs in obese and non-obese subjects, and their impact on pathological pain. This information may help one to better understand this crosstalk and the factors involved, and it could be useful in designing more specific training interventions (according to the nature of the comorbidity).