Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
6.0
3.4
Journals
Life
Special Issues
Move to Thrive: Pioneering Health and Resilience Through Physical Activity
share announcement

Move to Thrive: Pioneering Health and Resilience Through Physical Activity

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Physiology and Pathology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 6485

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Silvana Mirella Aliberti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
Interests: epidemiology; biostatistics; preventive medicine; longevity and healthspan; physical activity; health resilience; chronic disease prevention
Prof. Dr. Franca Di Meglio

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Interests: sports medicine; physical exercise; human anatomy; morphofunctional studies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Daria Nurzynska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
Interests: anatomy; histology; cell biology; congenital heart defects; adult stem cells
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Physical activity transcends traditional health boundaries, acting as a catalyst for resilience and vitality. It optimizes metabolic health, regulates inflammation, and reduces the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis, and various cancers (e.g., colon, breast). Beyond these well-documented benefits, physical activity enhances cognitive function, emotional well-being, and musculoskeletal dynamics, fostering inclusive vitality across diverse populations. Yet, the full potential of movement remains largely untapped. How does physical activity rewire immune and metabolic pathways, unveiling novel therapeutic insights into cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and systemic inflammation? Can adaptive, technology-driven exercise strategies unlock new preventive and rehabilitative frontiers? This special issue, co-curated with experts in preventive medicine, anatomical sciences, and sports medicine, seeks to explore these groundbreaking questions by leveraging interdisciplinary approaches, mixed methodologies, and regional contexts to redefine health strategies. We invite submissions—including original research articles, systematic reviews, and case studies—examining the transformative impact of physical activity. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: Metabolic and inflammatory pathway modulation by exercise. Innovative interventions for chronic disease prevention and management. Exercise-induced immune system enhancement and its clinical implications. Biomechanical and anatomical adaptations resulting from physical activity. Physical activity in unique populations (e.g., aging individuals, people with disabilities). Environmental and regional influences on the efficacy of exercise-based interventions. We look forward to your innovative contributions that will expand the understanding of physical activity as a transformative force in health and disease prevention.

Dr. Silvana Mirella Aliberti
Prof. Dr. Franca Di Meglio
Dr. Daria Nurzynska
Guest Editors

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Life 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 2600 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 activity
  • inflammation modulation
  • chronic disease prevention
  • immune system adaptation
  • biomechanics
  • rehabilitation strategies
  • sports medicine
  • aging and physical activity
  • disability and movement
  • environmental and regional influences on exercise

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Other

19 pages, 1090 KB  
Article
A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study of Probable Sarcopenia in Hemodialysis Patients
by Juan Rodríguez-Mansilla, Jaime Becerra Fernández, María Victoria Martín Hidalgo-Barquero, María Jiménez-Palomares, Blanca González-Sánchez and Elisa María Garrido-Ardila
Life 2026, 16(4), 649; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16040649 - 12 Apr 2026
Viewed by 528
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease is defined as a progressive pathology that affects more than 10% of the world’s population, affecting waste filtration capacity. Sarcopenia, characterized by loss of muscle mass and strength, is a common complication in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. [...] Read more.
Chronic kidney disease is defined as a progressive pathology that affects more than 10% of the world’s population, affecting waste filtration capacity. Sarcopenia, characterized by loss of muscle mass and strength, is a common complication in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. It is associated with inflammation, malnutrition and reduced quality of life. Hemodialysis is the fundamental treatment for people with chronic kidney disease, as it is key to the elimination of toxins from the body. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of probable sarcopenia in patients with chronic kidney disease in the Dialysis Unit of Extremadura (Spain). Material and Methods: This is a descriptive study in which 33 patients with chronic kidney disease receiving hemodialysis were selected as participants in the assessment of functional capacity and physical fitness. The procedure was performed prior to the dialysis session. Socio-demographic, clinical and physical variables were assessed. The assessment of probable sarcopenia was carried out using manual grip strength test (dynamometry), physical performance (4-meter walk test) and phase angle (PhA) (single frequency 50 Hz bioimpedance). The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was used to determine the severity of chronic disease and its impact, and analytical variables such as albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Index (NLI), Lymphocyte–Platelet Index (LPI) and total protein (TP), among others, were also included. Results: The prevalence of probable sarcopenia was 93.9% according to the criteria for muscle strength and physical performance (EWGSOP2). PhA showed statistically significant differences between the groups with and without sarcopenia (p = 0.039), suggesting its usefulness as a nutritional marker. No statistically significant differences were found between sarcopenia and age, albumin, Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Index or C-reactive protein (p > 0.05). Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of probable sarcopenia, associated with decreased handgrip strength and gait speed in patients with chronic kidney disease in hemodialysis. In addition, PhA stands out as an influential factor in the development of sarcopenia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Move to Thrive: Pioneering Health and Resilience Through Physical Activity)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 1123 KB  
Article
A Pragmatic Two-Step Screening Algorithm for Sarcopenia and Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study
by Silvana Mirella Aliberti, Antonio Menini, Anna Maria Sacco, Veronica Romano, Aldo Di Martino, Vittoria Acampora, Gemma Izzo, Chiara Sorrentino, Daria Nurzynska, Franca Di Meglio and Clotilde Castaldo
Life 2026, 16(1), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16010106 - 12 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1022
Abstract
Sarcopenia and physical frailty are interconnected geriatric syndromes that frequently coexist in older adults, sharing common pathophysiological pathways. However, their early detection in community settings is limited by resource constraints and by the lack of simplified, scalable diagnostic tools. This cross-sectional study aimed [...] Read more.
Sarcopenia and physical frailty are interconnected geriatric syndromes that frequently coexist in older adults, sharing common pathophysiological pathways. However, their early detection in community settings is limited by resource constraints and by the lack of simplified, scalable diagnostic tools. This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence and overlap of sarcopenia and frailty in a real-world public health screening programme and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a pragmatic two-step algorithm. In September 2025, a total of 256 consecutive community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years underwent standardized assessment using the SARC-F questionnaire, handgrip strength dynamometry, and selective bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Sarcopenia was defined according to 2019 EWGSOP2 criteria, and frailty according to the Fried phenotype. Confirmed sarcopenia was identified in 37 participants (14.5%, 95% CI 10.7–19.1%) and frailty in 31 (12.1%, 95% CI 8.6–16.7%), with substantial overlap (77.4% of frail individuals also had sarcopenia; Cohen’s κ = 0.62). The two-step algorithm (Step 1: SARC-F ≥ 4; Step 2: handgrip strength and BIA only in screen-positive participants) demonstrated excellent accuracy for confirmed sarcopenia (AUC 0.913, 95% CI 0.871–0.955), with sensitivity 91.9%, specificity 81.3%, and a 53.9% reduction in BIA use. Factors independently associated with confirmed sarcopenia included older age, BMI < 22 kg/m2, physical inactivity, and higher SARC-F score. A simple, function-centered two-step approach enables efficient and scalable identification of sarcopenia and frailty in community settings, supporting early preventive strategies to preserve physical function. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Move to Thrive: Pioneering Health and Resilience Through Physical Activity)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 756 KB  
Article
The Acute Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Oxidative Stress Markers and Phagocyte Oxidative Burst Activity in Young Professional Athletes and Non-Athlete University Students
by László Balogh, Eszter Szklenár, Ádám Diós, Attila Csaba Arany, József Márton Pucsok, Zalán Mihály Bács, László Rátgéber, Zoltán Csiki, Ágnes Gyetvai and Gábor Papp
Life 2026, 16(1), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16010084 - 6 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1183
Abstract
During exercise, increased oxygen consumption results in elevated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). If the antioxidant system is unable to counteract this surge in ROS, oxidative stress occurs. Physical activity modulates both the generation and clearance of ROS through dynamic interactions between [...] Read more.
During exercise, increased oxygen consumption results in elevated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). If the antioxidant system is unable to counteract this surge in ROS, oxidative stress occurs. Physical activity modulates both the generation and clearance of ROS through dynamic interactions between metabolic and antioxidant systems, and also influences the oxidative burst activity of phagocytes, a key component of the innate immune response. To investigate the acute physiological responses to high-intensity interval training (HIIT), we assessed the effects of a single HIIT session on oxidative stress markers and the oxidative burst activity of phagocytes in young professional athletes and non-athlete individuals. Blood samples were collected before and after a HIIT session from eleven male athletes (mean age: 22.1 ± 4.5 years) and ten male non-athlete university students (mean age: 21.6 ± 2.3 years). Participants performed a single treadmill HIIT session of ten 45-s intervals at 75–85% of heart rate reserve, separated by 45-s low-intensity recovery periods, with target intensities individualized using the Karvonen formula. Total antioxidant capacity, activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes, total serum nitrite/nitrate levels, lipid peroxidation products, and oxidative burst activity of phagocytes were evaluated before and after exercise. In athletes, a significant increase was observed in the activity of superoxide dismutase (from a median of 2.09 to 2.21 U/mL; p = 0.037) and catalase (from a median of 32.94 to 45.45 nmol/min/mL; p = 0.034) after exercise, whereas no significant changes were found in the control group. Total serum nitrite/nitrate levels significantly increased in both groups after exercise (athletes: from a median of 8.70 to 9.95 µM; p = 0.029; controls: from a median of 10.20 to 11.50 µM; p = 0.016). Oxidative burst capacity of peripheral blood phagocytes was significantly higher in athletes both before (median: 10,422 vs. 6766; p = 0.029) and after (median: 9365 vs. 7370; p = 0.047) the HIIT session compared to controls. Our findings demonstrate that training status markedly influences oxidative stress responses, with athletes exhibiting more effective long-term antioxidant adaptations. These results emphasize the necessity of tailoring exercise regimens to baseline fitness levels in order to optimize oxidative stress management across different populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Move to Thrive: Pioneering Health and Resilience Through Physical Activity)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research

43 pages, 10557 KB  
Systematic Review
Effects of Recreational Football on Body Composition and Cardiometabolic Health in Overweight or Obese Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Sijia Li, Haoran Li, Bo Wang, Zhuo Zeng, Rui Zhang, Henghao Yan, Aiguo Zhou, Yongmin Xie and Chengyu Zhou
Life 2025, 15(8), 1276; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15081276 - 12 Aug 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2966
Abstract
Objective: This study systematically examined the effects of recreational football on body composition and cardiometabolic health in overweight or obese individuals via subgroup analyses of potential moderators. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, [...] Read more.
Objective: This study systematically examined the effects of recreational football on body composition and cardiometabolic health in overweight or obese individuals via subgroup analyses of potential moderators. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang Data) in May and July 2025 to identify controlled trials evaluating recreational football among overweight or obese individuals. A meta-analysis was performed to pool the effect estimates, reported as standardized mean differences (SMDs), with heterogeneity explored through subgroup analyses. Results: Recreational football interventions across 32 studies (1126 participants, aged 11–68) led to significant improvements in body composition and cardiometabolic health. The training programs ranged from 4 to 48 weeks, with sessions lasting 4 to 30 min. Key body composition outcomes included reductions in body weight (SMD = −0.51), body mass index (SMD = −0.41), body fat percentage (SMD = −0.53), fat mass (SMD = −0.40), and waist circumference (SMD = −1.43), along with increases in lean body mass (SMD = 0.18). The effects were more pronounced in females and younger participants (≤18 years). Cardiometabolic benefits included reductions in systolic blood pressure (SMD = −0.59), diastolic blood pressure (SMD = −0.75), and mean arterial pressure (SMD = −0.91), as well as resting heart rates (SMD = −0.85), especially among females, obese males, and those subject to shorter rest intervals. Participants’ peak oxygen uptake also improved (SMD = 0.81). Concerning lipid metabolism, participants’ total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides decreased significantly, particularly in females, younger and obese individuals, and those who trained more than twice per week. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased significantly only in females and those involved in frequent training. In regard to glucose metabolism, participants’ fasting insulin declined (SMD = −0.47), especially in regard to programs exceeding 12 weeks, whereas no significant changes were observed in fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, or the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance. According to the GRADE assessments, the certainty of the evidence ranged from very low to moderate across these outcomes. Conclusions: Recreational football improves the body composition and cardiometabolic health in overweight or obese individuals, resulting in reductions in adiposity, blood pressure, lipids, and insulin, with greater benefits observed in females, younger individuals, and those engaging in more frequent training. These findings support its potential as a practical intervention for weight and cardiometabolic risk management, in both clinical and community settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Move to Thrive: Pioneering Health and Resilience Through Physical Activity)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop