Advances in Physical Exercise-Based Interventions: Short- and Long-Term Benefits for Disease Prevention and Improvement

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Assessments".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2025) | Viewed by 3385

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Graduate Program in Health Promotion, Cesumar University (UniCesumar), Maringá 87050-900, Brazil
Interests: aerobic training; patient care team; primary prevention; exercise therapy; remedial exercises; resistance training
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Guest Editor
Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Physical Education, State University of Amazonas, Barcelos 69700-000, Brazil
Interests: active aging; exercise; healthy lifestyles; public health; combat sports; sports medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce this Special Issue, entitled "Advances in Physical Exercise-Based Interventions: Short- and Long-Term Benefits for Disease Prevention and Improvement".

Physical exercise actions in short- and long-term benefits in physiological, metabolic, and psychological aspects will be the topic of a special edition of our scientific publication. This Special Issue examines the enormous potential of exercise as a preventative strategy for various medical disorders and how physical exercise could improve health status. Original research articles, systematic reviews, and case studies that explore the complex relationship between physical exercise and health status are invited from academics and professionals.

Interest-worthy subjects consist of, but are not restricted to, the following:

  • Physiological, metabolic, and psychological acute and chronic responses during exercise sessions for different age groups or health conditions;
  • The efficiency of various forms of physical exercise in averting long-term health conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease;
  • Mechanisms by which physical exercise improves mental health and helps avoid mental health issues like anxiety and sadness;
  • Physical exercise's function in cancer survival and prevention;
  • Innovations in exercise-based interventions are designed for certain groups, such as children, adults, older people, and those with impairments;
  • Short- and long-term advantages and adherence techniques for physical fitness regimens in clinic and community settings;
  • Technology and physical activity or physical exercise interventions.

Our objective is to present a thorough understanding of the many ways that physical exercise can prevent disease and promote changes in physiological, metabolic, and psychological aspects backed by solid scientific data. This Special Issue will be invaluable for healthcare workers, academics, and policymakers committed to enhancing public health outcomes through physical exercise.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Braulio Henrique Magnani Branco
Dr. Leonardo Vidal Andreato
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • primary prevention
  • self care
  • physical exercise
  • exercise therapy
  • exergaming

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 271 KB  
Article
Association Between Physical Activity, Quality of Life, Barriers to Physical Activity, and Mental Health in Chilean Adolescents: The MOV-ES Study
by Eugenio Merellano-Navarro, Pablo Pasten-Hernández, Juan Aristegui-Mondaca, Antonia Morán-Toloza, Marcelo Nuñez-Galaz, Frano Giakoni-Ramírez, Daniel Duclos-Bastías and Andrés Godoy-Cumillaf
Healthcare 2025, 13(16), 2028; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13162028 - 17 Aug 2025
Viewed by 705
Abstract
Objective: To analyze the association between physical activity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and perceived barriers to physical activity with the risk of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in Chilean adolescents. Method: A quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational study was conducted with a sample [...] Read more.
Objective: To analyze the association between physical activity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and perceived barriers to physical activity with the risk of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in Chilean adolescents. Method: A quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational study was conducted with a sample of 351 secondary school students (mean age = 15.75 ± 1.47 years) from several educational institutions in the south-central region of Chile. Validated instruments were used to assess physical activity (PAQ-A), symptoms of mental health (DASS-21), HRQoL (Kidscreen-52), and the short scale of barriers to physical activity. For exploratory purposes, mental health outcomes were dichotomized based on standard cut-off scores, and binary logistic regression models were estimated to identify associated factors. Results: Based on the binary categorization, a substantial proportion of students exceeded the risk thresholds for depressive (54.4%), anxiety (63%), and stress symptoms (42.2%). Across models, lower physical activity levels, reduced autonomy and weaker relationships with parents, and barriers related to self-concept and motivation were consistently associated with higher mental health risk. Additionally, passive commuting and the perceived school environment emerged as specific predictors of stress and depression risk, respectively. Conclusions: These findings suggest that individual and contextual factors linked to lifestyle behaviors and perceived social support may play a critical role in adolescent mental health, and could represent key targets for school-based interventions. Full article
14 pages, 604 KB  
Article
Functional Benefits of Inpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation After Open Aortic and Valvular Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study
by Younji Kim, Suk-Won Song, Ha Lee, Myeong Su Kim, Seoyon Yang and You Gyoung Yi
Healthcare 2025, 13(15), 1816; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13151816 - 25 Jul 2025
Viewed by 431
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Patients undergoing open aortic and valvular surgery often experience postoperative deconditioning, yet research on the role of inpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in this population remains limited. This study aimed to examine the effects of inpatient CR on muscle strength, mobility, psychological well-being, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Patients undergoing open aortic and valvular surgery often experience postoperative deconditioning, yet research on the role of inpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in this population remains limited. This study aimed to examine the effects of inpatient CR on muscle strength, mobility, psychological well-being, and quality of life in patients recovering from open aortic surgery. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study using the medical records of patients who participated in inpatient CR after open aortic surgery. Functional and psychological outcomes were evaluated using the Medical Research Council (MRC) sum score, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Five Times Sit-to-Stand test (5STS), Six-Minute Walk Distance (6MWD), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D). Pre- and post-rehabilitation scores were compared to assess changes in functional status, mobility, and quality of life. A post-discharge satisfaction survey was also analyzed. Results: A total of 33 patients were included. Significant improvements were observed in MBI (p < 0.001), MRC sum score (p < 0.001), 6MWD (p < 0.001), BBS (p < 0.001), TUG (p = 0.003), 5STS (p < 0.001), EQ-5D (p = 0.011), and PHQ-9 (p = 0.009) following inpatient CR. Patients with lower baseline mobility (6MWD ≤ 120 m) exhibited greater improvement in MBI (p = 0.034). Of the 33 patients, 26 completed the satisfaction survey; most reported high satisfaction, perceived health improvements, and willingness to recommend the program. Conclusions: Inpatient CR following open aortic and valvular surgery resulted in significant gains in muscle strength, mobility, psychological health, and overall quality of life. Patients with greater initial impairment demonstrated especially notable functional improvement, supporting the value of tailored CR in this population. Full article
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22 pages, 1234 KB  
Article
Impact of Multi-Professional Intervention on Health-Related Physical Fitness and Biomarkers in Overweight COVID-19 Survivors for 8 and 16 Weeks: A Non-Randomized Clinical Trial
by Marielle Priscila de Paula Silva-Lalucci, Déborah Cristina de Souza Marques, Joed Jacinto Ryal, Marilene Ghiraldi de Souza Marques, Victor Augusto Santos Perli, Ana Flávia Sordi, Solange Marta Franzoi de Moraes, Pablo Valdés-Badilla, Leonardo Vidal Andreato and Braulio Henrique Magnani Branco
Healthcare 2024, 12(20), 2034; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12202034 - 14 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1693
Abstract
Background/objectives: Considering the diverse symptomatology of COVID-19—ranging from mild to severe cases—multi-professional interventions are crucial for enhancing physical recovery, nutritional status, and mental health outcomes in affected patients. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of such an intervention on health-related physical [...] Read more.
Background/objectives: Considering the diverse symptomatology of COVID-19—ranging from mild to severe cases—multi-professional interventions are crucial for enhancing physical recovery, nutritional status, and mental health outcomes in affected patients. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of such an intervention on health-related physical fitness and biomarkers in overweight COVID-19 survivors with varying degrees of symptom severity after 8 weeks and 16 weeks. Methods: This non-randomized clinical trial included 59 overweight COVID-19 survivors (32 males and 27 females) divided into three groups: mild (n = 31), moderate (n = 13), and severe/critical (n = 15). The participants underwent a multi-professional program and were assessed for anthropometric and body composition (primary outcome), as well as physical fitness and biochemical markers (secondary outcome) 8 and 16 weeks before the intervention. Results: After 8 weeks, time effects were observed for the maximum isometric handgrip strength (p < 0.001), maximum isometric lumbar-traction strength (p = 0.01), flexibility (p < 0.001), abdominal strength–endurance (p < 0.001), the sit-and-stand test (p < 0.001), maximum oxygen consumption (p < 0.001), and distance covered in the 6 min walk test (p < 0.001). Additionally, time effects were also observed for fat mass (p = 0.03), body fat percentage (p = 0.02), abdominal circumference (p = 0.01), total cholesterol (p < 0.001), low-density lipoproteins (p < 0.001), and glycated hemoglobin (p < 0.001), with lower values after multi-professional interventions. After 16 weeks, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure showed significant reductions independently of the intervention group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: These findings suggest that multi-professional interventions can provide substantial benefits for post-COVID-19 patients, regardless of the severity of their initial symptoms. Full article
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