The United Nations, through its 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals, advocates for the establishment of conducive environments for physical activity, following the ecological model. In line with this initiative, active transportation emerges as an accessible, cost-effective, and sustainable approach to augmenting daily physical activity levels. This study protocol endeavors to assess the impact of an active transportation education program rooted in the ecological model on the physical and mental well-being of high school students. Drawing upon scientific insights, we hypothesize that a 16-week active transportation intervention will lead to a 3% reduction in average body fat percentage and a noteworthy enhancement in executive function (including inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and working memory), physical fitness (comprising cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength), and mental health (encompassing mood disorders and cognitive functioning). If this intervention proves effective, it could offer a viable solution for the school community, especially in reducing congestion within the school environment. The study protocol aims to evaluate the impact of an active transportation educational program based on the ecological model on the physical and mental well-being of high school students. Three high schools located in the urban area of Talca, Chile, will be randomly selected (one public, one privately subsidized, and one private non-subsidized). Each high school will be randomly assigned an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30; without intervention). The experimental groups will receive an active transportation educational intervention during their physical education classes for four months (60 to 90 min sessions, once a week), while the control group will receive no intervention. The primary outcome will provide information on body composition and executive function. Secondary outcomes will include objective physical activity level, physical fitness, mental well-being, academic achievement, health-related quality of life, perception of environmental urban features, physical activity barriers, and adherence to active transportation. It is expected that the results of the MOV-ES Project will transcend the physical health of schoolchildren and will have an impact on the school community, especially by decongesting the school environment.

Background/Objectives: Intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (IHH) induces various physiological and metabolic adaptations. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a seven-day IHH exposure on nutritional status, body composition, gut microbiota, movement intensity, and energy expenditure in 10 workers. Methods: A pre–post comparative design was employed, with measurements taken at the beginning and end of the exposure period. Nutritional status, body composition, and phase angle (PhA) were assessed via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Gut microbiota composition was analyzed through fecal DNA extraction and qPCR for specific bacterial families. Movement intensity and energy expenditure were monitored using accelerometry. An initial statistical analysis was performed, which included paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Results: A significant increase in PhA (mean difference: 0.40; p = 0.0053 for t-test, p = 0.0136 for Wilcoxon) and a significant decrease in BMI (mean difference: −0.38; p = 0.0311 for t-test, p = 0.0546 for Wilcoxon). Conclusions: While the original paper reported no significant changes in nutritional status or body composition, our re-analysis suggests a significant change in BMI. The original paper also reported significant changes in specific gut bacterial families (butyrate-producing bacteria, p = 0.037; Lactobacillus species, p = 0.006). Physical activity levels remained consistently low.

Body composition (BC) is a crucial component in the monitoring of athletes, not only as a variable related to physical performance, but also as a follow-up of dietary intervention and training. Objective: To propose regression equations from body surface area (BSA) to estimate fat-free mass (FFM) of mountain guides and porters using deuterium oxide dilution (MDD) as a criterion method. Methods: Cross-sectional study in 23 young and adult men working as mountain guides and porters on Aconcagua (Argentina). The volunteers ranged in age from 20 to 50 years. Weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and BSA were assessed by eight regression equations. Results: Three linear regression equations were generated considering chronological age and ASC as predictors: Model 1 (FFM = - 25.287 - (0.260 * age) + (49.014 * ASC1), R2 = 63.0%), model 2 (FFM = -20.736 - (0.191 * age) + (45.523 * ASC2), R2 = 62.0%) and model 3 (FFM = -28.592 - (0.244 * age) + (52.499 * ASC3), R2 = 63.0). Conclusion: Three predictive models based on age and BSA were generated that allow estimating the FFM in a valid and reliable way. The results suggest their use and application for monitoring before, during and after expeditions.

Background: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is proposed as a promising non-pharmacological treatment for cardiometabolic complications associated with non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes (DM2). Objective: To evaluate the effect of high-intensity interval training using power cycling 3 days a week for 12 weeks on metabolic control parameters in adult type 2 diabetics. Method: A pre-experimental trial was conducted with a pre-post-intervention design without a control group and non-probabilistic sampling. 27 DM2 subjects performed HIIT three times a week for 12 weeks, 17 completed the protocol. The training was performed on a stationary bicycle, and the protocol was 1 minute of intense pedalling followed by 2 minutes of rest for ten repetitions. Body weight (kg), fat mass (%), fat-free mass (%), total body water (%), waist circumference (cm), blood pressure (mmHg), glycaemia (mg/dL), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c %) and lipid profile (mg/dL) were determined at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Results: After the intervention, a decrease in Hb1Ac1 (p<0.01) and total cholesterol (p<0.01) was identified. Concerning body composition, fat mass (p<0.05) decreased, while total body water increased (p<0.05). Furthermore, a reduction in systolic (p<0.01) and diastolic (p<0.01) blood pressure and waist circumference (p<0.001) was identified. Conclusion: HIIT protocol could contribute to metabolic control in people with DM2. Therefore, it could be implemented to reduce cardiovascular risk in the studied population.