The high prevalence of obesity in childhood and adolescence has major public health consequences, since it is associated with various chronic diseases in the short- and long-term. The goal of our study was to examine the possible association between obesity and overweight and cardiorespiratory and muscle performance during a 4-year follow up period in adolescents. The body mass index (BMI) and physical performance of adolescents (360 girls and 348 boys) between 14–18 years of age was measured twice a year, and the possible correlation between overweight and obesity and cardiorespiratory and muscle performances were investigated. Our results revealed that cardiorespiratory performance increased significantly in boys during the 4 years (p < 0.001), but the aerobic performance of girls only showed seasonal fluctuation. Muscle performance significantly increased both in boys and girls (p < 0.001). Inverse association between obesity and cardiorespiratory and muscle performance was proved. Overweight was also inversely correlated with cardiorespiratory performance, but it demonstrated no correlation with muscle strength. Avoiding increased BMI and decreased physical fitness is essential for adolescents’ health to prevent short- and long-term adverse effects.

Self-esteem, body image and eating attitudes are important characteristics regarding adolescent mental health. In our present work, we aimed to investigate these psychological items in adolescent boys and girls examining gender differences and correlations with the BMI-for-age and cardiorespiratory performance. 374 students (209 girls with an average age of 16.4 ± 1.08 years, and 165 boys with an average age of 16.5 ± 1.03 years) underwent investigation using the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, EAT-26 and BAT questionnaires. The BMI-for-age was calculated with BMI growth charts and the cardiorespiratory performance was measured with the 20 m shuttle run test. Our results showed that adolescent girls scored lower self-esteem and higher values for BAT and each scale of eating behaviors, such as uncontrolled eating, cognitive restraints and emotional eating compared to boys despite the fact, that obesity and overweight were more common among boys. No significant correlation was found between BMI and psychological test results in either boys or girls, however, subjective body shape and gender predicted self-esteem and BAT scores and the cognitive restraints in the eating attitudes. Uncontrolled and emotional eating were primarily influenced by gender, in which BMI played only a weaker role. Cardiorespiratory performance was positively associated with self-esteem and body image among boys, and it had a negative correlation regarding BMI in both genders.

Data in the literature concerning the effects of physical activity on lipid and IGF-1levels are controversial in postmenopausal women. The aim of the present study was to determine the combined effects of a 12 weeks home-based walking program aiming to achieve 10,000 steps daily and a center- based aerobic exercise training on functional capacity, some important cardio-metabolic parameters, IGF-1 level and psychological items among elderly female patients. Sixty female patients (67.4 ± 5 years) with moderate to high cardiovascular risk were randomly assigned either to an exercise training program for 12 weeks or to the control group. Our organized training program resulted in a significantly improved daily physical activity (4232 [IQR: 3162–7219] to 8455 [IQR: 6757–11,488]; p < 0.001 ft-steps), functional capacity (MET) (8.17 ± 1.57 to 8.87 ± 1.76) (p = 0.002), metabolic status including total cholesterol (5.17 ± 1.13 to 4.77 ± 1.12 mmol/l), LDL cholesterol (3.37 ± 1.05 to 2.81 ± 0.98 mmol/l), triglyceride (1.68 ± 0.71 to 1.28 ± 0.71 mmol/l) and HgbA1c (6.24 ± 0.67 to 6.06 ± 0.58 mmol/l), as well as IGF-1 (59.68 ± 27.37 to 66.79 ± 22.74 ng/ml) levels (p < 0.05) in the training group. From psychological tests only physical functionality improved significantly (p = 0.03) in the training group. The training group significantly differed from the control group in four parameters including MET (p = 0.003), LDL-cholesterol (p = 0.046), triglyceride (p = 0.001) and IGF-1 levels (p < 0.001) after the intervention. The applied home-, and- center based training program effectively increased the daily physical activity of the elderly female patients and improved several cardio-metabolic parameters. Further investigations are needed on larger patient population to establish our findings and examine how these positive changes may decrease CV events and mortality.

Objectives: Adolescence is a pivotal stage of development characterized by significant physical, psychological, and social changes. Establishing healthy lifestyle habits during this period is crucial for long-term health and the prevention of chronic diseases. Despite this, global trends show a marked decline in physical activity among adolescents, particularly girls, who are more susceptible to sedentary behaviors. One potential site for intervention to eliminate physical inactivity at the population level is the school educational setting during childhood. Traditional school-based physical exercise programs often adopt a one-size-fits-all approach, which may not address the diverse needs and interests of students, leading to reduced motivation and participation. Personalized physical exercise programs, tailored to individual capabilities and preferences, offer a promising alternative to enhance physical fitness and foster lifelong engagement in physical activity. Methods: A total of 170 Hungarian high school girls (mean age ≈ 15.3 years) were randomly assigned to either a personalized physical exercise group or a control group following the standard curriculum. The intervention spanned two academic years and consisted of five traditional gym classes per week (control group) or three traditional and two individually tailored classes with cardiorespiratory and resistance training per week (intervention group), each lasting 45–60 min. Individual goals were set based on baseline assessments, emphasizing self-referenced progress. Results: The personalized physical exercise group showed significant improvements in body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, maximum oxygen uptake capacity (VO₂max), muscular strength, and flexibility (p < 0.05), while the control group exhibited minimal or negative changes. Conclusions: The personalized physical exercise program has been shown to be more effective in achieving higher cardiorespiratory performance and favorable body composition among adolescent girls than a traditional school physical education class, highlighting its potential role in school settings.