Background: Sleep quality (SQ) plays a role in multiple activities of daily living, but little is known about its role in concurrent training [CT, high-intensity interval (HIIT) plus resistance training (RT)] adaptations for metabolic syndrome (MetS) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) markers. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of a 20-week CT programme on MetS and HRQoL markers according to the SQ of morbidly obese patients. Methods: Twenty-nine morbidly obese patients were allocated to one of two groups: good sleep quality (GSQ, n = 15, 38.07 ± 12.26 years) and poor sleep quality (PSQ, n = 14, 40.79 ± 11.62 years). HRQoL, body mass index, waist circumference (WC), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively), and plasma outcomes were measured. Results: The GSQ group reported significant changes (pre- vs. post-intervention) in WC (114.0 ± 3.1 vs. 110.4 ± 3.4 cm, p = 0.012), SBP (137.0 ± 4.3 vs. 125.6 ± 1.8 mmHg, p = 0.006), and HRQoL general health (51.33 ± 21.08 vs. 64.33 ± 16.24, p = 0.020). By contrast, the PSQ group showed significant changes only in SQ (9.00 ± 2.42 vs. 5.36 ± 2.84, p = 0.004). Conclusions: Morbidly obese PSQ patients showed a lower response for improving MetS and HRQoL markers after a 20-week CT programme than GSQ peers. However, there was a greater effect size for decreasing WC and SBP in favour of the GSQ compared with the PSQ group, suggesting that there are limitations to CT benefits on these outcomes in the PSQ group. These results call for more complex future studies.

Background: This study evaluated the effects of resistance training (RT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in hypertensive older adults undergoing pharmacological therapy over four and eight weeks. We compared the efficacy of RT and HIIT in reducing non-responders (NRs) between weeks 4 and 8 and analyzed time-course adaptations in NRs and responders (Rs). Methods: Thirty-nine participants were randomized into RT-G (n = 13), HIIT-G (n = 13), or control (CG, n = 13) groups. RT utilized elastic bands, and HIIT involved cycle ergometers, with three weekly 30 min sessions for 8 weeks. SBP and DBP were measured before intervention and at weeks 4 and 8, respectively. Individual responses were classified as NRs or Rs using the Hopkins method (SDIR = √[SDExp2–SDCon2]). Time-course adaptations were evaluated. Results: Both the RT-G and HIIT-G reduced SBP at 8 weeks (RT-G: −13 mmHg; [ES: 1.12]; HIIT-G: −12 mmHg [ES: 0.8]; both p < 0.05). The proportion of NRs for SBP decreased from 46% to 38% in RT-G and 69% to 46% in HIIT-G. Rs showed a peak SBP reduction at 4 weeks (−14.7 and −25.5 mmHg), stabilizing by week 8 (−22.8 and −19.6 mmHg) in RT-G and HIIT-G, respectively. Conclusion: Eight weeks of RT and HIIT effectively reduced SBP and NR prevalence, with time-course adaptations favoring Rs.

Autonomic nervous system function is an important predictor of physical fitness. The objective of this study was to find out the associations of autonomic activity parameters, lipid profile, insulin concentrations, and insulin resistance in overweight men with the level of physical activity. A descriptive and correlational study was carried out in 28 overweight men: 14 physically active (PA) and 14 physically inactive (PI). The following variables were assessed: Level of physical activity, HRV (heart rate variability), basal insulin, HOMA-IR index (Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin-Resistance), and lipid profile. The main results show a positive correlation between the spectral parameters of the HRV and total cholesterol (r = 0.24), LDL (r = 0.59), VLDL (r = 0.86), and insulin (r = 0.88) of sedentary people, evidencing a directly proportional correlation with BMI. We conclude that weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle are associated with an increase in sympathetic discharge, which, in turn, is associated with an increase in lipid profile and insulin levels.

Physical inactivity is associated with reduced physical fitness (PF) in older women with impaired cardiometabolic health. Although exercise has been shown to improve PF, interindividual variability in response and adaptation changes over time remain unclear. This study evaluated the effects of eight weeks of resistance training (RT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on body composition, isometric strength, and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in older women with impaired cardiometabolic health. Additionally, the study explored the reduction of non-responders (NRs) and adaptation changes over time. This randomized clinical trial involved 36 older women (64 ± 8.4 years; BMI: 31.8 ± 5.5) with impaired cardiometabolic health, divided into RT-G (n = 12; 62 ± 7 years; BMI: 32.2 ± 4.1), HIIT-G (n = 12; 66 ± 10 years; BMI: 31.2 ± 4.1), and CG (n = 12; 64 ± 9 years; BMI: 31.8 ± 6) groups. RT-G performed elastic band exercises, and HIIT-G performed cycle ergometer intervals. BMI, body fat, lean mass, isometric strength, and 6MWT were measured at baseline and at four and eight weeks. The Student’s t-test was applied for normally distributed variables and the Mann–Whitney U test for non-normal variables. Intra- and inter-group differences were analyzed using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA, considering group, time, and their interaction. Post-hoc comparisons were conducted using the Bonferroni test. Individual responses (IR) were calculated using the equation proposed by Hopkins: SDIR = √(SDExp2 − SDCon2). The prevalence of responders (Rs) and non-responders (NRs) was expressed as a percentage, and percentage changes from baseline to weeks four and eight were used to evaluate adaptations dynamics. By week eight, isometric strength in RT-G significantly improved from 21.3 ± 4.4 to 24.37 ± 3.99 kg (p = 0.027; 95% CI: 1.8, 4.3 kg; Cohen’s d = 0.731) and 6MWT distance in HIIT-G increased from 441.0 ± 48.9 to 480.0 ± 53.0 m. (p = 0.002; 95% CI: 22, 55 m; Cohen’s d = 0.757). Both protocols reduced NRs for body fat, lean mass, and 6MWT. Responders showed greater adaptations in the first four weeks, stabilizing by week eight. RT and HIIT improved PF in older women with impaired cardiometabolic health, reducing NRs in terms of body composition and 6MWT over eight weeks, with similar adaptation changes over time among the responders. These findings highlight the importance of individualized exercise interventions to maximize health benefits. This study was part of a trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT06201273). Date: 22/12/2023.

It has been proposed that the combination of high-intensity aerobic exercises and resistance training (RT) known as concurrent training (CT) could improve metabolic syndrome (MetS) markers, and that the exercise mixture in CT could dampen muscle anaerobic pathways, a result known as the interference effect. However, there is scarce evidence on its effects in women across different ages. Therefore, we sought to determine the effects of a 10-week CT intervention on MetS markers and endurance performance in adult women and compared age-related differences between young, adult, and older participants. A total of 112 women with >1 MetS risk factors were included in the study. Participants were allocated to different groups according to the following cutoff age ranges: 20–29years (y), n = 25; 30–39y, n = 35; 40–49y, n = 43; and 50–59y, n = 53. Participants performed 10 weeks of CT, including resistance training (RT), involving six major muscle groups, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in a cycle ergometer. Anthropometric, cardiovascular, metabolic, and performance outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention. The CT induced significant improvements in waist circumference (WC) (20–29y: –2.5; 30–39y: –4.1; 40–49y: –4.2; 50–59y: –2.8 Δcm) and the distance achieved in the six-minute walking test (6Mwt) (20–29y: +47.6; 30–39y: +66.0; 40–49y: +43.0; 50–59y: +58.6 Δm) across all age groups, without significant differences between groups. In addition, a significant correlation was found between 6Mwt and WC, independent of age. In conclusion, our results showed that a 10-week CT intervention improved MetS risk factors in women, suggesting that the beneficial effects promoted by CT are independent of age and confirming CT as an effective, age-independent training regimen to improve metabolic health in women.