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Psychophysiological Responses to Physical Activity, Exercise and/or Nutrition Interventions in...
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Psychophysiological Responses to Physical Activity, Exercise and/or Nutrition Interventions in Individuals with Cardiometabolic Health Impairments

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 8137

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Alexios Batrakoulis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
2. Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, 89100 Komotini, Greece
Interests: clinical exercise physiology; exercise physiology; exercise biochemistry; strength and conditioning; high-intensity interval training; obesity; functional training; resistance training
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

“Psychophysiological Responses to Physical Activity, Exercise and/or Nutrition Interventions in Individuals with Cardiometabolic Health Impairments” is a topic that affects a considerable proportion of the global adult population. In light of the growing prevalence in sedentary lifestyles and the alarming rise in chronic diseases associated with these habits, it is imperative to consider the potential benefits of regular physical activity. Further research is required to elucidate the crucial function of bodily movement and/or nutritional behavior among those impacted by the most common cardiometabolic health diseases.

Areas of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following areas: Physical activity, exercise, and/or nutrition, and:

  1. Anthropometric characteristics;
  2. Body composition;
  3. Glucose metabolism;
  4. Lipid metabolism;
  5. Blood pressure;
  6. Oxidative stress;
  7. Redox status;
  8. Liver function;
  9. Renal function;
  10. Physical fitness;
  11. Exercise behavioral regulation;
  12. Enjoyment;
  13. Affect valence;
  14. Quality of life;
  15. Mood state;
  16. Depression;
  17. Anxiety;
  18. Stress;
  19. Eating habits;
  20. Sleep.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Alexios Batrakoulis
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • obesity
  • prediabetes
  • type 2 diabetes
  • dyslipidemia
  • hypertension
  • metabolic syndrome
  • chronic kidney disease
  • non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • cardiovascular diseases
  • exercise
  • physical activity
  • diet

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 2177 KiB  
Article
Correlation Between Metabolic Score for Visceral Fat and Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome: Analysis of NHANES 2011–2020
by Xi Fang, Xuemin Yin, Qianfang Liu, Jing Liu and Ying Li
Healthcare 2025, 13(7), 694; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13070694 - 21 Mar 2025
Viewed by 603
Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome with high incidence and mortality rates is a prevalent health issue globally. The Metabolic Score for Visceral Fat (METS-VF), as a new index for valuating visceral adipose tissue, has been reported to be closely related to a variety of [...] Read more.
Background: Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome with high incidence and mortality rates is a prevalent health issue globally. The Metabolic Score for Visceral Fat (METS-VF), as a new index for valuating visceral adipose tissue, has been reported to be closely related to a variety of diseases. However, whether the METS-VF can be an indicator to predict the risk of CKM syndrome remains unclear. Methods: We selected National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database data from the 2011–2020 year cycles and conducted analyses between the METS-VF and CKM syndrome utilizing weighted Cox regression models, subgroup and interaction analysis, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis. We also used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to analyze and compare the diagnostic predictive ability of the METS-VF, the BMI, and other indicators assessing adipose tissue, including the VAI, fat mass, and lean mass, in CKM syndrome. Results: In this study, the average age was 34.40 ± 0.61 years in the non-CKM patients, while the average age was over 40.38 ± 0.62 years in the CKM patients. Additionally, there was a greater proportion of male patients in the CKM patients (over 49.04%) in comparison with the non-CKM patients (37.94%). The average METS-VF was higher in the CKM patients (over 6.63 ± 0.02) compared with the non-CKM patients (5.62 ± 0.03). We found the METS-VF had a positive correlation with CKM syndrome and was hardly affected by other confounding factors. The METS-VF was more closely associated with CKM syndrome in the subgroup of age 20–59 and female patients. In addition, the METS-VF had better diagnostic ability for CKM syndrome than the body mass index (BMI) and other indicators. Conclusions: The METS-VF is a potentially actionable indicator that had a positive correlation with CKM risk. The METS-VF may be used as a possible reference in the management of CKM syndrome. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychophysiological Responses to Physical Activity, Exercise and/or Nutrition Interventions in Individuals with Cardiometabolic Health Impairments)
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14 pages, 1251 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Relaxation Massage Prior to Bedtime on Sleep Quality and Quantity in People with Symptoms of Chronic Insomnia: A Home-Based Sleep Study
by Ilias Ntoumas, Christina Karatzaferi, Christoforos D. Giannaki, Fotini Papanikolaou, Aggelos Pappas, Efthimios Dardiotis and Giorgos K. Sakkas
Healthcare 2025, 13(2), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13020180 - 17 Jan 2025
Viewed by 2923
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Manual massage is an effective treatment approach for reducing general stress and promoting an overall sense of well-being. Relaxation massage aims to alleviate psychophysiological tension, enhance both blood and lymphatic circulation, and promote mental and physical relaxation. It is particularly beneficial for [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Manual massage is an effective treatment approach for reducing general stress and promoting an overall sense of well-being. Relaxation massage aims to alleviate psychophysiological tension, enhance both blood and lymphatic circulation, and promote mental and physical relaxation. It is particularly beneficial for those with anxiety-related symptoms (such as generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety) and sleep disorders, aiming to improve calmness and promote sleepiness. Aims: The purpose of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of a single session of relaxation massage prior to bedtime on sleep quality and quantity indices in individuals with symptoms of chronic insomnia. Methods: In total, 20 (N = 20) healthy individuals (aged 25.5 ± 12.0 years; 6F/14M) with a score on the Athens Insomnia Scale of ≥16 participated under three different conditions over one week apart: (1) a 45 min relaxation massage condition (REL), (2) a 45 min sham massage condition (PLA), and (3) a control condition with no massage. Sleep activity was monitored using a portable polysomnographic system. Results: A statistically significant effect was observed between sleep efficiency across the three sessions (p = 0.034), with a notable effect in the relaxation massage (REL) session (p = 0.045). Additionally, sustained sleep efficiency showed a statistically significant difference among the sessions (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Relaxation massage prior to bedtime could be used as an effective and safe non-pharmacological approach for improving sleep efficiency and potentially restoring the fragmented sleep of individuals with symptoms of insomnia. Trial registration number: The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT06781866. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychophysiological Responses to Physical Activity, Exercise and/or Nutrition Interventions in Individuals with Cardiometabolic Health Impairments)
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Other

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43 pages, 2146 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Effects of Concurrent Training Versus Aerobic or Resistance Training Alone on Body Composition in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Mousa Khalafi, Shokoufeh Kheradmand, Aref Habibi Maleki, Michael E. Symonds, Sara K. Rosenkranz and Alexios Batrakoulis
Healthcare 2025, 13(7), 776; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13070776 - 31 Mar 2025
Viewed by 2922
Abstract
Introduction and Aim: The beneficial effects of aerobic training (AT) on preventing excess fat mass, and of resistance training (RT) on skeletal muscle adaptation, are well established. However, the effects of concurrent training (CT) compared to AT or RT alone on body composition [...] Read more.
Introduction and Aim: The beneficial effects of aerobic training (AT) on preventing excess fat mass, and of resistance training (RT) on skeletal muscle adaptation, are well established. However, the effects of concurrent training (CT) compared to AT or RT alone on body composition in middle-aged and older adults are less understood, and therefore, the focus of this meta-analysis. Methods: Three databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, were searched from inception to March 2024. Randomized trials were included if they compared CT versus either AT or RT, and included body composition measures such as fat mass, body fat percentage, waist circumference, visceral fat mass, lean body mass (LBM), muscle mass/volume, or muscle or muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA), in middle-aged (50 to <65 years) and older adults (≥65 years). Weighted mean differences (WMD) or standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random effects models. Results: A total of 53 studies involving 2873 participants were included. Overall, CT increased body weight and LBM significantly more, trending toward significantly larger increases in muscle mass and CSA, compared with AT alone. However, there were no significant differences between CT and RT alone, for body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, fat mass, waist circumference, or visceral fat mass. Conclusions: CT is as effective as AT for decreasing body fat measures and as effective as RT for increasing muscle mass in middle-aged and older adults, and it should be recommended accordingly. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychophysiological Responses to Physical Activity, Exercise and/or Nutrition Interventions in Individuals with Cardiometabolic Health Impairments)
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16 pages, 2330 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Effects of Exercise Training on Body Composition and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Mousa Khalafi, Farnaz Dinizadeh, Sara K. Rosenkranz, Michael E. Symonds and Saeid Fatolahi
Healthcare 2025, 13(3), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13030246 - 26 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1078
Abstract
Introduction and Aim: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of exercise training on body composition and cardiometabolic health in patients with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). Method: A search in three main databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and [...] Read more.
Introduction and Aim: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of exercise training on body composition and cardiometabolic health in patients with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). Method: A search in three main databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus was conducted from the inception of this review until June 2024 to identify randomized control trials investigating the effects of exercise training compared to a control on body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with T1D. The data were pooled using random effects models to calculate weighted mean differences (WMDs), standardized mean differences (SMDs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Overall, 25 studies involving 1120 patients with T1D were included in the meta-analysis. Exercise training decreased body mass index (BMI) [WMD: −0.18 kg.m2, p = 0.02], fasting glucose [WMD: −14.97 mg/dl, p = 0.01], and HbA1c [WMD: −0.49%, p = 0.003], and increased VO2max/peak [WMD: 2.76 mL/kg/min, p = 0.001] as compared with controls. Exercise training had no effect on body fat percentage or lean body mass, lipid profiles, or blood pressure. Subgroup analysis indicated that age, exercise mode, and intervention duration were the main moderators for the beneficial effects of exercise training. Conclusions: In patients with T1D, exercise training is effective for decreasing body weight and cardiometabolic risk factors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychophysiological Responses to Physical Activity, Exercise and/or Nutrition Interventions in Individuals with Cardiometabolic Health Impairments)
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