This study examined the effect of a supervised 12-week sprint interval training (SIT) on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and body composition in adolescent boys with obesity. Twenty-eight adolescents with obesity were allocated to either an intervention group (SIT) (13.1 ± 0.3 yrs; body mass index [BMI]: 30.3 ± 0.9 kg.m⁻²) or a control group (CONT) (13.7 ± 0.4 yrs; BMI: 32.6 ± 1.6 kg.m⁻²). The SIT group performed 4–6 × 30s “all-out” cycling bouts, interspersed with 4 min of recovery 3 days a week for 12 weeks. CRF was measured by direct peak oxygen consumption (VO₂peak) defined as VO₂peak per kg of body mass (mL.min⁻¹kg⁻¹) or by VO₂peak per kg of lean body mass (mL.min⁻¹LBM⁻¹) and body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. SIT intervention led to a significant and large between-group difference in VO₂peak (p = 0.004; η² = 0.29). Although SIT group had a significant reduction in body fat percentage (BF%) (from 41.1 ± 1.3% to 39.2 ± 1.5%; p = 0.006), there were no between-group differences in the change of the pre- and post-measures in BF% (p = 0.067). In conclusion, 12-week SIT is effective in increasing CRF and decreasing BF% in adolescent boys with obesity.

This study investigated the effect of supervised sprint interval training (SIT) on different cardiometabolic risk factors and adipokines in adolescent boys with obesity. Thirty-seven boys were allocated to either a SIT group (13.1 ± 0.3 years; body mass index [BMI]: 30.3 ± 0.9 kg·m⁻²) or a control group (CONT) (13.7 ± 0.4 years; BMI: 32.6 ± 1.6 kg·m⁻²). The SIT group performed 4–6 × 30 s all-out cycling sprints, interspersed with 4 min rest, for 3 sessions/week, during a 12-week period, while the non-exercising CONT group maintained a habitual lifestyle. Anthropometric measurements, triglycerides, fasting insulin and glucose, total cholesterol (TC), high- (HDLc) and low-density (LDLc) cholesterol, leptin and adiponectin in blood, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and a metabolic syndrome severity risk score (MSSS) were calculated before and after the 12-week period. Compared to baseline values, a significant reduction in MSSS was seen in the SIT group after intervention. LDLc showed favorable changes in SIT compared to CONT (−0.06 ± 0.1 vs. 0.19 ± 0.01 mmol·L⁻¹; p = 0.025). Additionally, CRF increased in the SIT group compared to the CONT group (5.2 ± 1.1 vs. −2.1 ± 1.1 mL·min⁻¹·kg⁻¹, p < 0.001). Moreover, a 12-week all-out SIT training effectively improves cardiometabolic health in adolescent boys with obesity.

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of supervised cycling sprint interval training (SIT) on serum osteocalcin, lipocalin-2 and sclerostin levels, and bone mineral characteristics among obese adolescent boys. Untrained obese adolescent boys aged 13.4 ± 0.3 were assigned to either a 12-week SIT group (3 sessions/week), or a non-exercising control group who continued with their habitual everyday life. Serum osteocalcin, lipocalin-2 and sclerostin concentrations, and bone mineral values were assessed before and after intervention. After 12-week intervention, where 14 boys in both groups ended the study, there were no significant differences in serum osteokine levels between the groups after 12 weeks, while whole body bone mineral content and lower limb bone mineral density increased in the SIT group (p < 0.05). Change in body mass index was negatively correlated with the change in osteocalcin (r = −0.57; p = 0.034), and positively correlated with the change in lipocalin-2 levels (r = 0.57; p = 0.035) in the SIT group. Supervised 12-week SIT intervention improved bone mineral characteristics, but did not change osteocalcin, lipocalin-2 or sclerostin levels in adolescent boys with obesity.

Background and Objectives: There is a lack of information on the dietary intake of long-term combined oral contraceptive users (COC-users) in relation to their body composition. The aim of the pilot study was to determine the food consumption of young women using COCs for >6 months and its relationship to body composition compared to non-users. Materials and Methods: A total of 45 healthy women (21.8 ± 1.7 years) were divided into COC non-users (n = 19) and users of a low (≤20 μg) ethinylestradiol (EE) dose (n = 18) and a medium (30–35 μg) EE dose (n = 8). Anthropometric data, body composition, physical activity levels, three-consecutive-days of dietary records, and serum concentrations of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D were assessed. Statistical methods included chi-squared, Fisher’s exact test, t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, Spearman’s correlation, and multiple linear regression. Results: There were no differences between COC-users and non-users in terms of physical activity, intake of micronutrients, body mass index, body fat percentage (BF%), or bone mineral density (BMD). COC-users consumed a higher percentage of energy from fats (p = 0.02) and had higher serum vitamin D levels (p < 0.01). BF% was negatively associated with BMD (coefficient −0.008; p = 0.027). Conclusions: The use of COCs for ˃6 months is not associated with FM or BMD, regardless of dietary differences. Further attention should be paid to possible associations between COCs use, dietary habits, and body composition (including BMD).

Background: Impaired sleep quality negatively impacts university students' health and academic performance. Sleep disorders are also more common among female university students than among male students. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the effect of foot reflexology on sleep quality among Health Sciences University female students. Methods: This experimental study was conducted in Estonia. A total of 20 participants aged 18 - 25 with impaired sleep quality [evaluated by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score] from Tartu Applied Health Sciences University from October 2022 to March 2023 were randomly allocated into reflexology (RFLX, n = 10) and control (CONT, n = 10) groups by Random Sequence Generator. The RFLX received foot reflexology therapy twice weekly during the four-week study period, with each session 20 minutes long. The CONT did not receive any treatment and continued their everyday habitual life. To evaluate changes in sleep quality, the PSQI was completed by the participants in both groups before and after the study period. Data were analyzed using appropriate parametric and non-parametric statistical tests, including t-tests and rank-based methods, to compare changes within and between groups over a period. Results: A significant difference in the mean scores of PSQI was observed in the RFLX group after the study (9.9 ± 2.85 vs 4.2 ± 2.49; P < 0.001), whereas the CONT group showed a nonsignificant change (9.1 ± 3.96 vs 7.6 ± 3.53). After the intervention period, a significant difference was observed between the changes in the two groups (P = 0.006). In addition, the most changed PSQI component in the RFLX was sleep latency (P = 0.004), with a statistically significant mean change (P = 0.005) compared to the CONT group. Conclusions: Four-week foot reflexology effectively improves sleep quality in Health Sciences University female students. These findings suggest that reductions in PSQI scores may have meaningful clinical value by indicating improved sleep quality among participants; however, the relatively small sample size warrants cautious interpretation and underscores the need for larger studies to confirm these results.