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Effects of Exercise and Diet on Health
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Effects of Exercise and Diet on Health

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Sports Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 June 2026 | Viewed by 3910

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Márta Wilhelm

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of Pecs, H-7624 Pecs, Hungary
Interests: health related fitness (exercise physiology, molecular biology, body composition); health related lifestyle, including nutrition, recreation; dietary habits and health, physical activity/health/diet and age groups
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In societies, which are changing almost daily, wellbeing, health, and a healthy lifestyle are crucial. Wellbeing is correlated to many positive changes in the economic status of populations, which then lead to an increase in food consumption as well. To counteract the negative effects from increased food consumption, education is more important than ever. How should we lead our lives, what is healthy for consumption, and how much should one exercise? How can we change our lifestyle from a sedentary one into a more physically active one, thus increasing our health? Physical activity and a well-balanced diet are very important health strategies, but they are only effective in a combined, complex manner. Much scientific data have been presented already, but there is a need to collate them, and this Special Issue is one such avenue for this purpose. This issue seeks to increase individuals’ motivation to lead an active, healthy lifestyle, while showing the latest data from interventions and professional programs.

Prof. Dr. Márta Wilhelm
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.

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 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
  • healthy diet
  • metabolism
  • adaptation
  • education

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 7591 KB  
Article
Exercise-Induced Changes in Enterohepatic Communication Are Linked to Liver Steatosis Resolution
by Yong Zou, Jie Xia, Sen Zhang, Yingjie Guo, Weina Liu and Zhengtang Qi
Nutrients 2025, 17(18), 2962; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17182962 - 15 Sep 2025
Viewed by 353
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of long-term aerobic exercise on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis and its underlying enterohepatic communication mechanisms. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups: normal-diet with sedentary (ND-SED), normal-diet with exercise (ND-EXE), HFD [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of long-term aerobic exercise on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis and its underlying enterohepatic communication mechanisms. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups: normal-diet with sedentary (ND-SED), normal-diet with exercise (ND-EXE), HFD with sedentary (HFD-SED), and HFD with exercise (HFD-EXE). After 16 weeks of HFD feeding, ND-EXE and HFD-EXE groups underwent an 8-week aerobic exercise intervention. Hepatic lipid accumulation was assessed via histology and triglyceride (TG) quantification. Liver function and glucose tolerance were evaluated. Gut microbiota composition (16S rRNA sequencing), hepatic bile acid profiles (LC-MS metabolomics), and gene expression were analyzed. Results: HFD induced hepatic steatosis, glucose intolerance, and liver injury in mice, all of which were ameliorated by exercise. Compared to HFD-SED mice, which exhibited impaired gut microbiota diversity, exercise restored key genera such as Faecalibaculum, and Turicibacter. Functional analysis revealed that exercise modulated microbiota shifts in lipid metabolism and secondary bile acid biosynthesis. HFD-EXE mice displayed altered hepatic bile acid composition, characterized by increased tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) and reduced taurohyodeoxycholic acid (THDCA). Notably, TUDCA levels correlated with Turicibacter abundance, while deoxycholic acid (DCA) was associated with Faecalibaculum, independent of precursor availability. Exercise also suppressed hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and downregulated lipogenic genes via the inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha (IRE1α)- spliced X-box binding protein 1 (Xbp1s) pathway, while concurrently activating farnesoid X receptor (FXR) signaling to enhance fatty acid oxidation through the FXR-short heterodimer partner (SHP) related to hepatic secondary bile acid abundance change. Conclusions: The beneficial effect of long-term aerobic exercise on high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis in mice is potentially mediated through structural changes in the gut microbiota, which influence the abundance of hepatic secondary bile acids (TUDCA, DCA) and subsequently regulate the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Exercise and Diet on Health)
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11 pages, 553 KB  
Article
Gender and Age-Specific Responses to Non-Invasive Body-Contouring Interventions and Their Impact on Body Composition—Pilot Study
by Raluca Maior, Florina Ruta, Mihail-Alexandru Badea, Calin Avram and Vladimir Bacârea
Nutrients 2025, 17(16), 2639; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17162639 - 14 Aug 2025
Viewed by 519
Abstract
Background: Eximia is a non-invasive body-contouring technology combining ultrasound cavitation, radiofrequency, and vacuum suction to reduce adiposity. EMS Pro Bodytech delivers biphasic electrical impulses to stimulate muscular contractions and improve muscle performance. Methods: A 6-week observational study included 77 participants (58 women aged [...] Read more.
Background: Eximia is a non-invasive body-contouring technology combining ultrasound cavitation, radiofrequency, and vacuum suction to reduce adiposity. EMS Pro Bodytech delivers biphasic electrical impulses to stimulate muscular contractions and improve muscle performance. Methods: A 6-week observational study included 77 participants (58 women aged 28–55 and 19 men aged 20–49), who received twice-weekly sessions combining Eximia and EMS training. Anthropometric and body composition measurements were recorded before and after the intervention. Results: Participants showed reductions in fat mass (mean from 19.21 kg to 18.19 kg; SD from 8.23 to 8.42), BMI (mean from 26.03 to 25.68; SD from 4.26 to 4.16), and visceral fat index (mean from 4.97 to 4.74; SD from 2.88 to 2.99), alongside an increase in skeletal muscle percentage (mean from 37.34% to 38.3%, SD from 5.09 to 5.94). Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in treatment response between genders (e.g., BMI: p = 0.080; fat-free mass: p = 0.089) or age groups (all p > 0.6), suggesting that the intervention was effective across demographics. Conclusions: The combined approach of Eximia body remodeling and EMS muscle stimulation led to measurable improvements in body composition, independent of age or gender. These findings support its potential as a non-invasive, inclusive strategy for body reshaping alongside peri-procedural dietary standardization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Exercise and Diet on Health)
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14 pages, 586 KB  
Article
Eating Attitudes, Body Appreciation, Perfectionism, and the Risk of Exercise Addiction in Physically Active Adults: A Cluster Analysis
by Bettina F. Piko, Tamás L. Berki, Orsolya Kun and David Mellor
Nutrients 2025, 17(13), 2063; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132063 - 20 Jun 2025
Viewed by 728
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Although regular physical exercise is protective for health, excessive engagement can contribute to the development of addiction. Further, the co-occurrence of exercise addiction (EA) and disordered eating (DE) is very frequent among athletes with several common risk factors. Our study focused [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Although regular physical exercise is protective for health, excessive engagement can contribute to the development of addiction. Further, the co-occurrence of exercise addiction (EA) and disordered eating (DE) is very frequent among athletes with several common risk factors. Our study focused on the associations between exercise addiction, eating attitudes, body appreciation, and perfectionism in a sample of physically active adults. Methods: Using a sample of Hungarian adults who were regular exercisers (n = 205, aged 18–70 years, mean age = 30.59 years; 77.1% females), cluster analysis was applied to identify participants’ profile according to their level of EA, DE attitudes, body appreciation, and dimensions of perfectionism. Results: Healthy exercisers had the second lowest level of EA and highest level of body appreciation, and they were not prone to DE (31.22%). Another cluster had a relatively low risk of EA but were potentially prone to DE, with poor body appreciation and a medium level of socially prescribed and other-oriented perfectionism (29.8%). Third, a group of exercisers was characterized by the highest risk of both EA and DE, who also reported relatively high levels of personal standards and organization (25.36%). Finally, those with the second highest risk of EA with a high tendency for dieting and bulimia and poor body appreciation were prone to socially prescribed and other-related perfectionism (13.66%). Conclusions: Symptoms of exercise addiction are not necessarily pathological, but they can serve as signals for the overuse of sports and undue achievement orientation, particularly when being associated with disordered eating attitudes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Exercise and Diet on Health)
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Review

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21 pages, 299 KB  
Review
Ergogenic and Physiological Effects of Sports Supplements: Implications for Advertising and Consumer Information
by Pedro Estevan Navarro, Cristina González-Díaz, Rubén García Pérez, Angel Gil-Izquierdo, Carlos Javier García, Daniel Giménez-Monzo, Alejandro Perales and José Miguel Martínez Sanz
Nutrients 2025, 17(16), 2706; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17162706 - 21 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1240
Abstract
Background: The use of sports supplements has increased significantly in athletic contexts, raising the need to evaluate their efficacy, safety, regulatory status, and communication practices. Objective: This study aimed to describe and synthesize the ergogenic and physiological effects of Australian Institute of Sport [...] Read more.
Background: The use of sports supplements has increased significantly in athletic contexts, raising the need to evaluate their efficacy, safety, regulatory status, and communication practices. Objective: This study aimed to describe and synthesize the ergogenic and physiological effects of Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Category A performance supplements. Methods: A descriptive and observational study was conducted, collecting and analyzing information from systematic reviews and position statements related to performance supplements, including caffeine, creatine, β-alanine, nitrate/beetroot juice, sodium bicarbonate, and glycerol. Results: Caffeine and creatine are the only supplements with authorized health claims. However, β-alanine, nitrates, sodium bicarbonate, and glycerol show positive ergogenic effects supported by strong evidence, especially in endurance, strength, high-intensity, and aquatic sports. However, these substances lack regulatory approval, and only a small proportion of commercial products comply with current legislation. Conclusions: While performance supplements may enhance athletic performance when used alongside proper nutrition and scientific guidance, their effectiveness is not always consistent or assured. This review highlights the urgent need to update regulatory frameworks, harmonize labeling standards, and promote ethical marketing to safeguard consumers and support sports and nutrition professionals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Exercise and Diet on Health)
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