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Exercise and Nutrition for Human Health

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 January 2024) | Viewed by 10977

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3053, Australia
Interests: exercise medicine; proteomics; nutrition; artificial intelligence; obesity; metabolic medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As our understanding of metabolism and evolution evolves, there is a dichotomy as to whether calorific deficit, or the restriction of dietary components, are the way ahead in healthy lifestyle and longevity. Low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets have shown great impact on weight management, but evolutionary work suggests that calorific restriction remains effective.

This Special Issue will focus on the research on calorific restriction versus dietary interventions for health and explore newer ingredient discoveries using AI platforms to positively affect the lives of consumers. We will explore the role of exercise as a supplement to nutrition and where the evidence lies in terms of supplements and fiber along with the effect of the gut microbiome on health. We will look at the role of muscle in maintaining homeostasis and that of the neuroendocrine system role in maintaining anti-inflammation.

Dr. Andy Franklyn-Miller
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. Nutrients 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 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

  • nutrition
  • exercise medicine
  • metabolic syndrome
  • muscle
  • artificial intelligence
  • gut health

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 743 KiB  
Article
Tribulus terrestris and Sport Performance: A Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluation of Its Advertisement and Availability via Online Shopping in Six Different Countries
by Juan F. Garcia, Jesús Seco-Calvo, Soledad Arribalzaga, Raquel Díez, Cristina Lopez, M. Nelida Fernandez, Juan J. Garcia, M. Jose Diez, Raul de la Puente, Matilde Sierra and Ana M. Sahagún
Nutrients 2024, 16(9), 1320; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16091320 - 28 Apr 2024
Viewed by 411
Abstract
Dietary supplements are commonly used among athletes, and the Internet may be an easy source of these products. Tribulus terrestris is an herbal supplement with multiple properties. Of interest to athletes are reports that its consumption can lead to muscle mass gain and [...] Read more.
Dietary supplements are commonly used among athletes, and the Internet may be an easy source of these products. Tribulus terrestris is an herbal supplement with multiple properties. Of interest to athletes are reports that its consumption can lead to muscle mass gain and a faster recovery process. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the availability of Tribulus terrestris via the Internet in six countries (Canada, Puerto Rico, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, and the United States of America) via a specifically designed computer program. The characteristics of the websites selling this substance, the country from which it can be purchased, the route of administration, and recommendations for its use were analyzed. The results of the study show that this supplement is marketed mainly in Russia, Ukraine, and Spain on many websites that are mostly dedicated to sports products. Just over half of the webpages (59.14%) identified only distribute this supplement within the same country. The main claims for its consumption refer to sports performance benefits, but there are also claims that it may improve male hormone levels and sexual function. Athletes should be encouraged to seek professional advice prior to ingesting this supplement to ensure that it is suitable for their specific training and sports objectives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Nutrition for Human Health)
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11 pages, 455 KiB  
Article
Concurrent Ingestion of Alkaline Water and L-Glutamine Enhanced Salivary α-Amylase Activity and Testosterone Concentration in Boxing Athletes
by Tung-Lin Lu, Cheng-Shiun He, Katsuhiko Suzuki, Chi-Cheng Lu, Chung-Yuan Wang and Shih-Hua Fang
Nutrients 2024, 16(3), 454; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16030454 - 5 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1490
Abstract
Athletes often take sport supplements to reduce fatigue and immune disturbances during or after training. This study evaluated the acute effects of concurrent ingestion of alkaline water and L-glutamine on the salivary immunity and hormone responses of boxers after training. Twelve male boxing [...] Read more.
Athletes often take sport supplements to reduce fatigue and immune disturbances during or after training. This study evaluated the acute effects of concurrent ingestion of alkaline water and L-glutamine on the salivary immunity and hormone responses of boxers after training. Twelve male boxing athletes were recruited in this study. During regular training, the participants were randomly divided into three groups and asked to consume 400 mL of alkaline water (Group A), 0.15 g/kg body weight of L-glutamine with 400 mL of water (Group G), and 0.15 g/kg of L-glutamine with 400 mL of alkaline water (Group A+G) at the same time each day for three consecutive weeks. Before and immediately after the training, saliva, heart rates, and the rate of perceived exertion were investigated. The activity of α-amylase and concentrations of lactoferrin, immunoglobulin A (IgA), testosterone, and cortisol in saliva were measured. The results showed that the ratio of α-amylase activity/total protein (TP) significantly increased after training in Group A+G but not in Group A or G, whereas the ratios of lactoferrin/TP and IgA/TP were unaffected in all three groups. The concentrations of salivary testosterone after training increased significantly in Group A+G but not in Group A or G, whereas the salivary cortisol concentrations were unaltered in all groups. In conclusion, concurrent ingestion of 400 mL of alkaline water and 0.15 g/kg of L-glutamine before training enhanced the salivary α-amylase activity and testosterone concentration of boxers, which would be beneficial for post-exercise recovery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Nutrition for Human Health)
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13 pages, 1190 KiB  
Article
Effect of Beetroot Juice Supplementation on Muscle Soreness and Performance Recovery after Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Female Volleyball Players
by Mohammad Hemmatinafar, Leila Zaremoayedi, Maryam Koushkie Jahromi, Stacey Alvarez-Alvarado, Alexei Wong, Alireza Niknam, Katsuhiko Suzuki, Babak Imanian and Reza Bagheri
Nutrients 2023, 15(17), 3763; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173763 - 28 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3510
Abstract
Background: Beetroot juice (BRJ) contains various bioactive compounds suggested to be effective in improving athlete recovery. However, the number of studies evaluating the effects of BRJ on recovery and muscle soreness (MS) indicators in female athletes is limited. Therefore, the present study aimed [...] Read more.
Background: Beetroot juice (BRJ) contains various bioactive compounds suggested to be effective in improving athlete recovery. However, the number of studies evaluating the effects of BRJ on recovery and muscle soreness (MS) indicators in female athletes is limited. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effects of BRJ consumption on the performance recovery indicators and MS after exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) in female volleyball players. Methods: Twelve young female volleyball players were evaluated in this study. We utilized a randomized, cross-over, and double-blind design during two phases with a 30-day interval (wash-out). During each phase, EIMD was performed first, followed by BRJ or placebo (PLA) supplementation for two days (eight servings of 50 mL). Recovery monitoring of performance indicators and MS was performed after EIMD. The results of wall-sit, V sit and reach (VSFT), vertical jump height (VJH), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and thigh swelling (Sw-T) tests were recorded 48 h after EIMD. Also, the Perceived Muscle Soreness was recorded using the visual analog scale (VAS) 12 (MS-12 h), 24 (MS-24 h), and 48 (MS-48 h) hours after EIMD. Results: The data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures of ANOVA at p < 0.05. Compared to PLA, BRJ supplementation improves wall-sit performance after EIMD (p < 0.05), while reducing Sw-T and perceived muscle soreness (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between PLA and BRJ in VJH and VSFT performance after EIMD (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the consumption of BRJ in female volleyball players can be useful for improving some recovery indicators, such as muscle endurance, perceived muscle soreness, and tissue edema, after EIMD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Nutrition for Human Health)
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Review

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25 pages, 693 KiB  
Review
Exercise Prescription for Postprandial Glycemic Management
by Alessio Bellini, Alessandro Scotto di Palumbo, Andrea Nicolò, Ilenia Bazzucchi and Massimo Sacchetti
Nutrients 2024, 16(8), 1170; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16081170 - 14 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1523
Abstract
The detrimental impacts of postprandial hyperglycemia on health are a critical concern, and exercise is recognized a pivotal tool in enhancing glycemic control after a meal. However, current exercise recommendations for managing postprandial glucose levels remain fairly broad and require deeper clarification. This [...] Read more.
The detrimental impacts of postprandial hyperglycemia on health are a critical concern, and exercise is recognized a pivotal tool in enhancing glycemic control after a meal. However, current exercise recommendations for managing postprandial glucose levels remain fairly broad and require deeper clarification. This review examines the existing literature aiming to offer a comprehensive guide for exercise prescription to optimize postprandial glycemic management. Specifically, it considers various exercise parameters (i.e., exercise timing, type, intensity, volume, pattern) for crafting exercise prescriptions. Findings predominantly indicate that moderate-intensity exercise initiated shortly after meals may substantially improve glucose response to a meal in healthy individuals and those with type 2 diabetes. Moreover, incorporating short activity breaks throughout the exercise session may provide additional benefits for reducing glucose response. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Nutrition for Human Health)
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18 pages, 1740 KiB  
Review
Effects of Exercise on Gut Microbiota of Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Leizi Min, Alimjan Ablitip, Rui Wang, Torquati Luciana, Mengxian Wei and Xindong Ma
Nutrients 2024, 16(7), 1070; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16071070 - 5 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1235
Abstract
Background: The equilibrium between gut microbiota (GM) and the host plays a pivotal role in maintaining overall health, influencing various physiological and metabolic functions. Emerging research suggests that exercise modulates the abundance and functionality of gut bacteria, yet the comprehensive effects on GM [...] Read more.
Background: The equilibrium between gut microbiota (GM) and the host plays a pivotal role in maintaining overall health, influencing various physiological and metabolic functions. Emerging research suggests that exercise modulates the abundance and functionality of gut bacteria, yet the comprehensive effects on GM diversity remain to be synthesized. Objectives and Design: The study aims to quantitatively examine the effect of exercise on the diversity of gut microbiota of adults using a systemic review and meta-analysis approach. Methods: PubMed, Ebsco, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data were searched from their inception to September 2023. Exercise intervention studies with a control group that describe and compare the composition of GM in adults, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, were included in this meta-analysis. Results: A total of 25 studies were included in this meta-analysis with a total of 1044 participants. Based on a fixed-effects model [Chi2 = 29.40, df = 20 (p = 0.08); I2 = 32%], the pooled analysis showed that compared with the control group, exercise intervention can significantly increase the alpha diversity of adult GM, using the Shannon index as an example [WMD = 0.05, 95% CI (0.00, 0.09); Z = 1.99 (p = 0.05)]. In addition, exercise interventions were found to significantly alter GM, notably decreasing Bacteroidetes and increasing Firmicutes, indicating a shift in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. The subgroup analysis indicates that females and older adults appear to exhibit more significant changes in the Shannon Index and observed OTUs. Conclusions: Exercise may be a promising way to improve GM in adults. In particular, the Shannon index was significantly increased after exercise. Distinct responses in GM diversity to exercise interventions based on gender and age implicated that more research was needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Nutrition for Human Health)
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20 pages, 2404 KiB  
Review
Efficacy of Postprandial Exercise in Mitigating Glycemic Responses in Overweight Individuals and Individuals with Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Jie Kang, Brian M. Fardman, Nicholas A. Ratamess, Avery D. Faigenbaum and Jill A. Bush
Nutrients 2023, 15(20), 4489; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15204489 - 23 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2092
Abstract
Studies investigating the acute effect of postprandial exercise (PPE) on glucose responses exhibit significant heterogeneity in terms of participant demographic, exercise protocol, and exercise timing post-meal. As such, this study aimed to further analyze the existing literature on the impact of PPE on [...] Read more.
Studies investigating the acute effect of postprandial exercise (PPE) on glucose responses exhibit significant heterogeneity in terms of participant demographic, exercise protocol, and exercise timing post-meal. As such, this study aimed to further analyze the existing literature on the impact of PPE on glycemic control in overweight individuals and individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). A literature search was conducted through databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Thirty-one original research studies that met the inclusion criteria were selected. A random-effect meta-analysis was performed to compare postprandial glucose area under the curve (AUC) and 24 h mean glucose levels between PPE and the time-matched no-exercise control (CON). Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore whether the glucose-lowering effect of PPE could be influenced by exercise duration, exercise timing post-meal, and the disease status of participants. This study revealed a significantly reduced glucose AUC (Hedges’ g = −0.317; SE = 0.057; p < 0.05) and 24 h mean glucose levels (Hedges’ g = −0.328; SE = 0.062; p < 0.05) following PPE compared to CON. The reduction in glucose AUC was greater (p < 0.05) following PPE lasting >30 min compared to ≤30 min. The reduction in 24 h mean glucose levels was also greater (p < 0.05) following PPE for ≥60 min compared to <60 min post-meal and in those with T2DM compared to those without T2DM. PPE offers a viable approach for glucose management and can be performed in various forms so long as exercise duration is sufficient. The glucose-lowering effect of PPE may be further enhanced by initiating it after the first hour post-meal. PPE is a promising strategy, particularly for patients with T2DM. This manuscript is registered with Research Registry (UIN: reviewregistry1693). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Nutrition for Human Health)
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