Background/Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of flexibility or strengthening exercises to improve flexibility, strength, muscle architecture, and functional performance in older adults with leg tightness and/or suspected sarcopenia. Methods: Ninety adults with leg tightness and/or suspected sarcopenia (age: 66.8 ± 4.9 years) were randomly allocated to two subtypes of intervention at home: resistance-band exercise (RE) or eccentric exercise (ECC) for those with weakness; static or dynamic stretching for those with tightness; and static stretching plus ECC or no exercise for those with both muscle tightness and weakness. The program consisted of 3–6 weekly sessions over eight weeks. Blinded outcome assessments before and after the eight-week program and at the three-month follow-up included mobility performance via Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), and flexibility and strength tests, as well as measurement of stiffness. Results: All groups had increased peak torque after eight weeks and improved TUG at the three-month follow-up (p < 0.05). Improved plantar flexor strength persisted at the three-month follow-up (p = 0.009). In addition, the RE and ECC groups had increased muscle thickness by 4.0 and 8.7% after eight weeks (p < 0.05). Hamstring flexibility increased in all exercise groups, except the RE group. Moreover, all six groups showed improved calf flexibility, whereas no changes in stiffness were noted. Conclusions: Increases in mobility performance, strength, and flexibility appeared due to learning effects and increased physical activity, rather than the specific training impact. However, strength-based programs may be recommended for older adults with suspected sarcopenia, as they provide additional benefits, such as short-lasting muscle hypertrophy.

Snake fruit is rich in vitamin C, carotene, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and monoterpenoids - bioactive constituents known for their potent antioxidant properties. Based on these components, the present study investigated the potential effects of snake fruit jelly ingestion on glycemic control, endurance performance, alongside its impact on antioxidant status, inflammatory responses, and metabolic biomarkers in healthy individuals. A randomized crossover design was used in two separate experiments involving 48 healthy sedentary men and women aged 19-35 years. All participants ingested 140 g of both control jelly and snake fruit jelly on separate occasions. Experiment 1 (n = 25): Blood glucose (BG) concentrations were measured at baseline and every 30 minutes for 2 hours post-ingestion. Experiment 2 (n = 23): Following each jelly ingestion, participants performed leg cycling at 60% of peak oxygen consumption until exhaustion. Blood samples were collected before and after exercise to measure BG, insulin, cortisol, and biomarkers of antioxidant status and inflammation. In Experiment 1, BG concentrations at 30 and 60 minutes post-ingestion, as well as the incremental area under the BG curve at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes, were significantly lower following snake fruit jelly ingestion compared with control (all p < 0.05). In Experiment 2, post-exercise superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly increased, while tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and cortisol concentrations were significantly decreased after snake fruit jelly ingestion (all p < 0.05). Between-group analysis revealed that endurance time and SOD activity were significantly higher, whereas BG, insulin, and TNF-α concentrations were significantly lower following snake fruit jelly ingestion compared with control jelly ingestion (all p < 0.05). Cortisol and interferon-gamma concentrations showed no significant differences between conditions. Acute ingestion of snake fruit jelly enhances glycemic control, endurance performance, and antioxidant activity, while reducing blood glucose, insulin, and pro-inflammatory markers in response to endurance exercise. Retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT06227260).

Thai rice varieties, including Hom Pathum (Pathumthani fragrant rice) and Tubtim Chumphae rice, contain bioactive compounds with potential antioxidant properties. In this study, their acute effects on glycemic response, cardiac autonomic function, endurance performance, and oxidative stress were investigated in healthy adults. In a randomized crossover design, two independent cohorts of healthy adults were enrolled. A total of 50 participants completed two separate experiments (n = 25 per experiment), in which they consumed 140 g of control jelly, Hom Pathum rice jelly, and Tubtim Chumphae rice jelly in a randomized order on separate occasions. In Experiment 1, blood glucose (BG) was measured at baseline and every 30 min for 120 min, while insulin concentrations were assessed at baseline and after 120 min. In Experiment 2, participants performed treadmill exercise at 60% VO₂peak to volitional exhaustion, and exercise-induced oxidative stress was evaluated following exercise. Postprandial BG responses differed significantly among interventions. At 30 min, BG concentrations were lower following Hom Pathum and Tubtim Chumphae rice jellies compared with the control jelly (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively), and these reductions were maintained between 60 and 120 min, with Tubtim Chumphae rice generally demonstrating greater glycemic attenuation (p < 0.05). The BG area under the curve was significantly lower following both rice jellies than following the control jelly (p ≤ 0.005). No significant differences were observed in insulin concentrations, HOMA indices, heart rate variability, or blood pressure among interventions. Both rice jellies improved endurance performance compared with the control condition (p < 0.05), whereas post-exercise malondialdehyde concentrations were significantly reduced only following Tubtim Chumphae rice consumption (p = 0.049). These findings suggest that acute consumption of Thai rice-based jellies, particularly Tubtim Chumphae rice jelly, may attenuate postprandial glycemic responses and enhance endurance performance, with Tubtim Chumphae rice additionally demonstrating potential to reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress. However, these findings reflect short-term physiological responses in healthy adults and should be interpreted cautiously pending further mechanistic and long-term investigations.

Background/Objectives: Snake fruit is rich in vitamin C, carotene, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and monoterpenoids—bioactive constituents known for their potent antioxidant properties. Based on these components, the present study investigated the potential effects of snake fruit jelly ingestion on endurance performance, alongside its impact on antioxidant status, inflammatory responses, and metabolic biomarkers in healthy individuals. Methods: A randomized crossover design was used in two separate experiments involving 48 healthy sedentary men and women aged 19–35 years. All participants ingested 140 g of both control jelly and snake fruit jelly on separate occasions. Experiment 1 (n = 25): Blood glucose concentrations were measured at baseline and every 30 minutes for 2 hours post-ingestion. Experiment 2 (n = 23): Following each jelly ingestion, participants performed leg cycling at 60% of peak oxygen consumption until exhaustion. Blood samples were collected before and after exercise to measure glucose, insulin, cortisol, and biomarkers of antioxidant status and inflammation. Results: In Experiment 1, blood glucose concentrations at 30 and 60 minutes post-ingestion and the incremental area under the glucose curve at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes were significantly lower after snake fruit jelly ingestion compared to control (all p < 0.05). In Experiment 2, endurance time and superoxide dismutase activity were significantly higher, while blood glucose, insulin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations were significantly lower following snake fruit jelly ingestion (all p < 0.05). Cortisol and interferon-gamma levels showed no significant differences between the two conditions. Conclusions: Acute ingestion of snake fruit jelly enhances endurance performance and antioxidant activity, while reducing blood glucose, insulin, and pro-inflammatory markers in response to endurance exercise.