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Physical Activity and Exercise Training for Improving Cardiometabolic Health

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Exercise and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2023) | Viewed by 8200

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Cristian Álvarez

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Guest Editor

Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences Laboratory, School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 7591538, Chile
Interests: physical exercise and vasculature in hypertension and type 2 Diabetes; responders and non-responders to physical exercise; lifestyles and multi-culturality risk factors; epidemiology of physical inactivity in health and disease
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A Special Issue on physical activity and exercise training to improve cardiometabolic healthcare, including arterial hypertension, insulin resistance, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, among others (dyslipidemia and comorbidities), is being organized in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. For detailed information on the journal, I refer you to https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2015), 347 million people are insufficiently active or are classified as physically inactive and do not adhere to international physical activity guidelines. As the 4th major mortality cause among all factors, physical inactivity worsens body composition and bone, cardiovascular, and metabolic health, decreasing physical and mental functions. Physical activity here also includes more specific exercise training regimes, such as moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), high-intensity interval training (HIIT), or resistance training (RT), as well as other concurrent training (i.e., a mixture of both MICT plus HIIT, or others).

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation, as physical inactivity situation caused by lifestyle factors has been combined with home confinement. This has been particularly harmful to segments of the population characterized by obesity, arterial hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, whose cardiometabolic health has worsened.

As an alternative to common hypoglycemic and hypotensive pharmacotherapy, different exercise training modalities have demonstrated particular rehabilitation capacity to improve these cardiometabolic abnormalities, improving clinical health markers.

Researchers and practitioners in this field are invited to send original articles, short communications, or review studies on how physical inactivity influences overall health and how physical activity and particular exercise training modalities can benefit cardiometabolic health.

This Special Issue is open to the subject area of cardiometabolic healthcare. The keywords listed below provide an outline of some of the possible areas of interest.

Dr. Cristian Álvarez
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. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2500 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

physical inactivity
physical activity
lifestyle
risk factors
overweight
obesity
high blood pressure
arterial hypertension
insulin resistance
type 2 diabetes mellitus
COVID-19
confinement
body composition
exercise training
moderate-intensity continuous training
resistance training
high-intensity interval training
concurrent training

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 543 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Is the Verification Phase a Suitable Criterion for the Determination of Maximum Oxygen Uptake in Patients with Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction? A Validation Study

by Agustín Manresa-Rocamora, Laura Fuertes-Kenneally, Carles Blasco-Peris, Noemí Sempere-Ruiz, José Manuel Sarabia and Vicente Climent-Paya

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 2764; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042764 - 4 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1380

Abstract

The verification phase (VP) has been proposed as an alternative to the traditional criteria used for the determination of the maximum oxygen uptake (VO₂ max) in several populations. Nonetheless, its validity in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse whether the VP is a safe and suitable method to determine the VO₂ max in patients with HFrEF. Adult male and female patients with HFrEF performed a ramp-incremental phase (IP), followed by a submaximal constant VP (i.e., 95% of the maximal workload during the IP) on a cycle ergometer. A 5-min active recovery period (i.e., 10 W) was performed between the two exercise phases. Group (i.e., median values) and individual comparisons were performed. VO₂ max was confirmed when there was a difference of ≤ 3% in peak oxygen uptake (VO₂ peak) values between the two exercise phases. Twenty-one patients (13 males) were finally included. There were no adverse events during the VP. Group comparisons showed no differences in the absolute and relative VO₂ peak values between both exercise phases (p = 0.557 and p = 0.400, respectively). The results did not change when only male or female patients were included. In contrast, individual comparisons showed that the VO₂ max was confirmed in 11 patients (52.4%) and not confirmed in 10 (47.6%). The submaximal VP is a safe and suitable method for the determination of the VO₂ max in patients with HFrEF. In addition, an individual approach should be used because group comparisons could mask individual differences. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Exercise Training for Improving Cardiometabolic Health)

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9 pages, 330 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Maitland Thoracic Joint Mobilization and Lumbar Stabilization Exercise on Diaphragm Thickness and Respiratory Function in Patients with a History of COVID-19

by Kyung-hun Kim and Dong-hoon Kim

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 17044; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192417044 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1571

Abstract

Objective: We investigated the effects of maitland thoracic joint mobilization and lumbar stabilization exercise on diaphragm thickness and respiratory function in patients with a history of COVID-19. Methods: Thirty patients who had passed one month after COVID-19 onset were randomly divided into maitland thoracic mobilization and lumbar stabilization and combined breathing exercise groups; each group performed thoracic mobilization and lumbar stabilization exercises and combined breathing exercise and ergometer exercises, respectively, for 50 min, three times a week, for eight weeks. We used the MYSONO U5 MicroQuark to evaluate diaphragm thickness and respiratory function (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the one second, peak expiratory flow), respectively. Results: There were no significant between-group differences in general patient characteristics and change in diaphragm thickness and respiratory function. Both groups showed significant improvement within each parameter. However, the maitland thoracic mobilization and lumbar stabilization group showed more significant improvements than did the combined breathing exercise group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, we confirmed the maitland thoracic joint mobilization and lumbar stabilization exercise on the diaphragm thickness and respiratory function in patients with a history of COVID-19. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Exercise Training for Improving Cardiometabolic Health)

11 pages, 1009 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Combined Training with Aerobic Exercise Performed Outdoors Can Promote Better Blood Pressure and Affective Responses in Individuals with Cardiovascular Risk Factors

by Janara Antunes De Moraes, Guilherme Tadeu De Barcelos, Juliana Cavestré Coneglian, Bárbara Carlin de Ramos Do Espírito Santo, Rodrigo Sudatti Delevatti and Aline Mendes Gerage

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16009; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316009 - 30 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1256

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of two models of combined training (CT) (aerobic and resistance exercise realized in the same training session), with aerobic training performed in different environments (indoor or outdoor), on blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and affective response in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors. Twenty-six participants were allocated, in a non-randomized design, into CT with aerobic exercise performed indoors (ICT) or outdoors (OCT). Both groups were submitted to three weekly CT sessions, with aerobic exercises performed on ergometers or an athletics track. Before and after nine weeks of training, BP and HR at rest were measured. In the last session of the training, the affective response was collected. The individuals were 65.8 ± 7.8 (ICT) and 67.3 ± 8.2 (OCT) years. Lower values of diastolic BP were observed for the OCT group at post-training (p < 0.001). Moreover, in OCT, a significant inverse correlation was identified between the affective response to training and changes in systolic BP (r = −0.60; p = 0.03) and mean BP (r = −0.62; p = 0.02). In conclusion, CT, with aerobic exercise performed outdoors, seems to be more effective in reducing BP with better affective responses to training. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Exercise Training for Improving Cardiometabolic Health)

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15 pages, 1780 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Social Distance Impacts from COVID-19 Pandemic on the Development of Two Orders of a Concurrent Training Programme for Morbidly Obese Patients

by Pedro Delgado-Floody, Luis Chirosa-Ríos, Iris Paola Guzmán-Guzmán, Claudia Andrea Vargas, Karina Sandoval-Aguilera, Felipe Caamaño-Navarrete, Francisco Guede-Rojas and Cristian Alvarez

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13408; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013408 - 17 Oct 2022

Viewed by 1797

Abstract

Background: Although there is relevant information regarding the consequences of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), little is known about the impact of the imposed social confinement (at home) on the development of exercise training programmes in populations with morbid obesity. Aim: To describe the effects of the imposed COVID-19 confinement on the cardiometabolic health benefits acquired through a concurrent training programme that started before the pandemic in populations with morbid obesity. Methods: This was an experimental randomized clinical study, in which sedentary morbidly obese women were assigned 1:1 to a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) plus resistance training (RT) group (HIIT + RT; n = 11; BMI 42.1 ± 6.6) or to the same exercise dose, but in different order group of RT plus HIIT group (RT + HIIT; n = 7; BMI 47.5 ± 8.4). Both groups undertook two sessions/week. When COVID-19 confinement at home started, a post-test was applied in January 2020 (Post1) and after 20 months (Post2). The main outcomes were waist circumference (WC), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), high-density lipids (HDL-c), triglycerides (Tg), and fasting plasma glucose (FPG). Results: In the HIIT + RT group, the WC showed significant increases from Post1 to Post2 (Δ + 3.1 cm, p = 0.035); in the RT + HIIT group, it decreased from Post1 to Post2 (Δ − 4.8 cm, p = 0.028). In the HIIT + RT group, SBP showed significant increases from Post1 to Post2 (Δ + 6.2 mmHg, p = 0.041); the RT + HIIT group decreased SBP from Pre0 to Post1 (Δ − 7.2 mmHg, p = 0.026) and increased DBP from Pre0 to Post1 (Δ + 8.1 mmHg, p = 0.015). Tg in the HIIT + RT group decreased from Pre0 to Post1 (Δ − 40.1 mg/dL, p = 0.023) but increased from Post1 to Post2 (Δ + 86.3 mg/dL, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The COVID-19 social confinement worsened metabolic syndrome (MetS) outcomes that had improved from 20 weeks’ RT + HIIT during the training period, such as WC, SBP, and Tg from HIIT + RT, when, worryingly, SBP increased to another more serious clinical classification in both groups. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Exercise Training for Improving Cardiometabolic Health)

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14 pages, 1009 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pilot Feasibility Assessment of a Tailored Physical Activity Prescription in Overweight and Obese People in a Public Hospital

by Janeth Tenorio-Mucha, Patricia Busta-Flores, Tania De la Cruz-Saldaña, Silvia Marcela Montufar-Crespo, German Malaga, Antonio Bernabe-Ortiz and Maria Lazo-Porras

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(17), 10774; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710774 - 30 Aug 2022

Viewed by 1479

Abstract

We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a tailored physical activity (PA) prescription in overweight and obese people in a tertiary hospital in Lima, Peru. A feasibility pre–post-pilot study was conducted using mixed methods. Participants received a tailored prescription scheme for PA that lasted twelve weeks. It included two prescription sessions, three follow-up phone calls, and three evaluations. Primary feasibility outcomes were recruitment, visits, and phone call adherence. Primary intervention outcomes were self-reported PA levels and the 6 min walk test. Out of 228 people invited to participate, 30 were enrolled and received the first session of prescription, 11 went to the second session, and 21 went to the final evaluation; phone call participation decreased progressively during follow-up. There were no differences in the 6th week and the 12th week compared to the baseline for all the measures, except in the 6 min walk test. The participants considered the intervention was well designed, but they suggested complementing it with dietary instructions. The prescription of PA in overweight and obese people is feasible for promoting PA, but its implementation requires refinements to anticipate possible barriers to changing behavior. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity and Exercise Training for Improving Cardiometabolic Health)

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