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Healthcare
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Exercise Therapy: Improving Functionality, Physical Health, and Quality of Life
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Exercise Therapy: Improving Functionality, Physical Health, and Quality of Life

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 2170

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Iván Chulvi Medrano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Research Group in Prevention and Health in Exercise and Sport (PHES), Department of Physical Education and Sports, Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y el Deporte, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Interests: pediatric exercise science; blood flow restriction; resistance training; clinical exercise
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Fernando Domínguez-Navarro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Exercise Intervention for Health Research Group (EXINH-RG), Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Interests: physical therapy; exercise therapy; rehabilitation; sports

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue invites papers that explore, from a multidisciplinary perspective, the interactions among exercise, functional capacity, and both physical and psychological health, as well as their impact on the quality of life.

In recent decades, exercise has become a cornerstone of health promotion across all stages of life, playing a key role in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and enhancing physical and mental capabilities. Well-designed exercise programs—tailored, progressive, and functional—offer a unique opportunity for individuals to improve their performance in everyday activities and even in sports, leading to measurable improvements in quality of life.

Achieving these outcomes requires a comprehensive evaluation of health status, a detailed analysis of functional needs, and the precise prescription of exercise type and dosage. Equally important is ensuring program adherence and balancing the potential risks and benefits.

Moreover, psychological factors, such as motivation and barriers to adopting an active lifestyle, are critical in achieving long-term success. Current research must address these dimensions to fully understand the profound impact of exercise on both physical and mental health.

Therefore, this Special Issue welcomes studies that assess health and functional capacity, analyze quality of life, and validate physical performance measurements. We are particularly interested in research that examines the multifaceted benefits of exercise and explores the innovative programs, tools, or technologies that have been designed to enhance physical activity and well-being. Additionally, as technology becomes increasingly integrated into exercise regimens, we encourage submissions that investigate its role in improving functionality and health outcomes.

Prof. Dr. Iván Chulvi Medrano
Guest Editor

Dr. Fernando Domínguez-Navarro
Guest Editor Assistant

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

  • exercise therapy
  • functionality
  • physical function
  • quality of life
  • rehabilitation
  • phycological status
  • cognitive interventions
  • prehabilitation

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 625 KiB  
Article
An Integrative Neuromuscular Training Program in Physical Education Classes Improves Strength and Speed Performance
by Diego A. Alonso-Aubin, Ignacio Moya del Saz, Ismael Martínez-Guardado and Iván Chulvi-Medrano
Healthcare 2025, 13(12), 1372; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13121372 - 8 Jun 2025
Viewed by 346
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This longitudinal randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effects of an integrative neuromuscular training (INT) intervention on strength and speed measures in Spanish students across different age groups. Methods: A total of 121 students, aged 11–12 (G1) and 15–16 (G2), [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This longitudinal randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effects of an integrative neuromuscular training (INT) intervention on strength and speed measures in Spanish students across different age groups. Methods: A total of 121 students, aged 11–12 (G1) and 15–16 (G2), were randomly assigned to four groups: two experimental groups, G1exp (n = 30) and G2exp (n = 31), and two control groups, G1con (n = 30) and G2 (n = 30). Experimental groups participated in two 20 min INT sessions per week for four weeks, focusing on physical literacy (agility, coordination, balance, and speed) and a resistance training program, integrated into the first part of physical education classes (PEC). Results: Experimental groups showed significant improvements (p < 0.001) in lower-body power (G1exp: t = −7.04; d = −1.30; G2exp: t = −5.19; d = −0.91), upper-body power (G1exp: t = −5.94; d = −1.10; G2exp: t = −3.52; d = −0.62), abdominal endurance strength (G1exp: t = −9.72; d = −1.80; G2exp: t = −4.75; d = −0.84) and sprinting (G1exp: t = 5.22; d = 0.96; G2exp: t = 5.90; d = 1.04). A comparison by age groups revealed significantly greater improvements in upper-body power in G1 vs. G2 (t:−2.83; p = 0.02). Conclusions: A four-week INT program implemented at the start of PE classes can improve strength and sprint performance in youth across all ages. We recommend incorporating INT into the first part of physical education sessions to contribute to meeting the physical activity, well-being and conditioning needs of young people. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Therapy: Improving Functionality, Physical Health, and Quality of Life)
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16 pages, 647 KiB  
Article
Multimodal Prehabilitation in Colorectal Cancer: Improving Fitness, Lifestyle, and Post-Surgery Outcomes
by María-Pilar Suárez-Alcázar, Ana Folch Ayora, María Muriach, Paula Recacha-Ponce, M.-Elena Garcia-Roca, Alba Coret-Franco, Juan Carlos Pastor-Mora, Pablo Salas-Medina and Eladio J. Collado-Boira
Healthcare 2025, 13(9), 1083; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13091083 - 7 May 2025
Viewed by 487
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the effect of a multimodal prehabilitation program for colorectal cancer patients in body composition, physical and cardiorespiratory fitness as well as its ability to reduce postoperative complications. Methods: A longitudinal observational study evaluated the efficacy [...] Read more.
Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the effect of a multimodal prehabilitation program for colorectal cancer patients in body composition, physical and cardiorespiratory fitness as well as its ability to reduce postoperative complications. Methods: A longitudinal observational study evaluated the efficacy of a prehabilitation intervention based on four components: (a) health education and self-care, (b) nutritional counseling, (c) psychological support, and (d) supervised physical exercise. Body composition was determined through bioelectrical impedance analysis; physical fitness variables such as strength was measured by a handgrip dynamometer for upper limbs, and a squat–jump test, countermovement jump test using a contact platform, and a chair–stand test for lower limbs. Flexibility was assessed with the sit-and-reach test. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed with the 6 min walking test (6MWT). Moreover, we measured lifestyles related to the amount of physical exercise by accelerometry. Results: The final cohort included 30 patients. Patients completed an average of 9.90 ± 5.26 exercise sessions. Statistically significant changes with varying effect sizes were observed in the following outcomes: SJ values in cm and W for both sexes (p = 0.021/d = 0.14 and p = 0.043/d = 0.10, respectively), SJ in W for women (p = 0.023/d = 0.21), all chair-stand test values (p = 0.021/d = 0.65 for men, p = 0.004/d = 2.08 for women, and p = 0.000/d = 0.84 for both sexes), and sit-and-reach for both sexes (p = 0.005/d = 0.12) and for men (p = 0.044/d = 0.08). All 6MWT values had statistically significant changes (p = 0.001/0.46). Women reduced the weekly minutes spent in sedentary behavior (p = 0.037/d = 0.65) and increased the minutes spent performing light physical activity (p = 0.037/d = 0.63). With regard to surgical outcomes, there was a tendency towards a decrease in postoperative complications and hospitalization days, as well as minutes in postoperative REA (p = 0.009/d = 0.69) in relation to the control group. Conclusions: Participation in a multimodal prehabilitation program improves several aspects of physical condition and lifestyles related to the amount of physical exercise and reduces both days of hospitalization and several complications post-surgery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Therapy: Improving Functionality, Physical Health, and Quality of Life)
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14 pages, 701 KiB  
Article
Tele-Exercise for Fitness: Physical and Psychological Outcomes in Athletes and Non-Athletes’ Trainees
by Enzo Iuliano, Giovanna Zimatore, Antonio Fabbrizio, Andrea De Giorgio, Martina Sausa, Barbara Maria Matteo, Sonia Angilletta, Victor Machado Reis, Nuno D. Garrido, José Vilaça-Alves, Rafael Peixoto, Paulina Perusina, Aleksandra Aristova, Carlo Baldari, Filippo Macaluso, Alberto Fucarino and Manuela Cantoia
Healthcare 2025, 13(4), 354; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13040354 - 7 Feb 2025
Viewed by 743
Abstract
Background: This research explored how tele-exercise influenced physical fitness and mental well-being in individuals with and without disabilities and with different training habits. Methods: One hundred and ninety-three participants were categorized into two groups: athletes and non-athletes. Participants were involved in [...] Read more.
Background: This research explored how tele-exercise influenced physical fitness and mental well-being in individuals with and without disabilities and with different training habits. Methods: One hundred and ninety-three participants were categorized into two groups: athletes and non-athletes. Participants were involved in either synchronous or asynchronous tele-exercise programs of two or three sessions of workouts per week, lasting eight weeks. Psychological well-being was evaluated pre- vs. post-intervention by the WHO-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Fitness assessment tools included the 2-minute step test, curl-up test, forward bending test, and squat test. Body weight was also assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results: The analysis showed a significant increment in all fitness scores (p-value ranged from <0.001 to 0.015) with no change in body weight. Psychological tests indicated an overall increment in the participants’ well-being measured by the WHO-5 and unexpectedly, also in the stress level assessed through PSS-10. Conclusions: Enabled by technology, tele-exercise provides a flexible and convenient complementary approach to conventional workouts, helping individuals maintain an active lifestyle and improve their well-being. Positive effects on the sedentary population’s lifestyles are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Therapy: Improving Functionality, Physical Health, and Quality of Life)
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