Background: Antioxidants and prebiotics are popular functional foods known for their distinct physiological ameliorating benefits on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Whether and how a combined antioxidant-prebiotic supplement affects primary and secondary T2DM outcomes is not known. Objectives: We investigated the therapeutic effects of an antioxidant (anthocyanin from riceberry rice) combined with prebiotics (dietary fibre from rice bran and Jerusalem artichoke) on glucose control, lipid profile, oxidative stress, inflammation, and cardiorespiratory fitness in T2DM patients. Methods: A total of 60 T2DM patients were randomly assigned to receive antioxidant/prebiotic (supplement group, SG) or maltodextrin (control group, CG), (two capsules (350 mg)/meal after three meals and before bedtime, 2.8 g/day), for 60 days. Venous blood samples were collected at baseline and after 60 days intervention to assess blood metabolic variables (glucose, insulin, and lipid profiles, renal and liver functions, oxidative stress, inflammation). Nutrition status, anthropometry, body composition (DEXA) and cardiorespiratory fitness were also measured. Results: Analysis of co-variance showed superior effects on T2DM’s glucose and lipid profiles in the SG compared with the CG including reduced fasting blood glucose (p = 0.01 within-group effects, p = 0.03 interaction effects), reduced glycated haemoglobin (p = 0.004 within-group effects, p = 0.002 interaction), and reduced low density lipoprotein (p = 0.006 within-group effects, p = 0.02 interaction effects). No significant change was found within the CG for any of these parameters. Kidney function’s glomerular filtration rate was also improved in the SG (p = 0.01 within-group effects), but not in the placebo CG. Intermediatory biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and cardiorespiratory fitness were not significantly affected in either group with no interaction effects. No adverse effects were detected following the 60-day supplementation intervention. Conclusions: The findings suggest that a combined anthocyanin-fibre may be promoted as an adjacent therapy in patients with T2DM, but the intermediary mechanisms of action require further research.

Background: The growing elderly population faces health problems like osteoporosis, but novel exercises like weighted vests (WV) and whole-body vibration (WBV) may help prevent bone loss. Methods: Thirty-one women aged 60–79 years with osteopenia or osteoporosis (T-score −2.15 ± 0.9) were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group performed exercise only; a whole-body vibration group performed the exercise on a 40 Hz, 2 mm vibration platform; and a weighted vest group performed the exercise while wearing a weighted vest. T-score, bone mineral density (BMD), muscle mass, and physical performance were assessed before and after 8 weeks. Results: The WV showed a greater T-score increase than the CT and WBV groups (WV: 0.08 ± 0.03; CT: −0.18 ± 0.04; WBV: −0.11 ± 0.16; p = 0.01, 95%CI). Leg BMD increased in the WV group (1.75 ± 0.13 to 1.79 ± 0.16 g/cm²; p = 0.02). Leg lean mass also increased in the WV (1.28 ± 0.91 kg) compared to WBV (0.17 ± 0.14 kg) and CT (0.06 ± 0.79 kg, p = 0.01, 95%CI). The WV group showed greater physical performance improvements (5TSTS and 6-MWT). The WBV group showed improved total lean mass compared to the CT group (WBV: 0.32 ± 0.17; CT = −1.20 ± 1.86, p = 0.006, 95%CI). Conclusions: WV exercise improved bone density, leg lean mass, and physical performance in older women. WBV exercise increased total lean mass and skeletal muscle index while reducing fat mass. WV exercise provides an additive effect beyond exercise alone or WBV.

Background: Falls among the elderly present significant physical, psychological, and economic challenges. Fall prevention strategies, such as balance and muscle strengthening exercises, are essential but often require long-term commitment. This study explores the potential of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as an adjunct to balance training to enhance physical performance in the elderly. Method: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled design was employed to compare balance training with active or sham tDCS. Participants underwent baseline assessments, followed by a six-week intervention period. The intervention protocol consisted of 2 mA, 20 min of anodal tDCS over the left primary motor cortex, three times weekly. Post-intervention assessments were conducted a few days after the intervention and follow-up at 4 weeks. Results: Following 18 sessions of anodal tDCS combined with balance exercise training, no significant group differences were observed for the Time Up and Go, One-Leg Standing, lower-limb strength, or the 6 min walk test (6MWT), although both the intervention and control groups demonstrated significant improvements over time. A significant group × time interaction was found only for the 6MWT, with participants in the intervention group exhibiting greater improvements in the 6MWT compared to controls. Conclusions: Anodal tDCS combined with balance exercise training selectively enhanced physical endurance but did not confer additional benefits for balance, gait, or leg strength in healthy older adults. These findings suggest that tDCS may serve as a promising adjunct to exercise for improving endurance-related outcomes in aging populations. Control of various variables for tDCS and exercise is necessary.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with alterations in brain function that contribute to reduced respiratory and skeletal muscle strength, ultimately limiting exercise capacity. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive neuromodulation technique, has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing lower extremity function in healthy older adults. Objective: To evaluate the effects of a single session of anodal tDCS on exercise capacity, respiratory muscle strength, and physical performance in individuals with COPD. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial, 26 participants with COPD underwent baseline assessments of exercise capacity (Six-Minute Walk Distance, 6MWD), respiratory muscle strength (Maximum Inspiratory Pressure, MIP), and physical performance (4-m Gait Speed, 4MGS). Participants then received either active or sham tDCS, followed by reassessment 1 day post-intervention. Results: Compared to sham, the active tDCS group showed significant improvements in physical performance, including increases of 46 ± 11.45 m in 6MWD ( p < 0.001), 12.54 ± 4.52 cm, H ₂ O in MIP ( p < 0.01), and 0.24 ± 0.08 m/s in 4MGS ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: A single session of anodal tDCS may enhance exercise capacity, inspiratory muscle strength, and gait speed in patients with COPD, suggesting its potential as a supportive intervention in pulmonary rehabilitation.

The older population often experiences a gradual age-related decline in the primary motor cortex, leading to muscle weakness that can harm their physical performances. Exercise could improve physical performance and prevent falling in older adults. However, the decrease in motor function and motor skills in older adults reduces the efficiency of fall prevention. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive intervention aimed at improving muscle strength in various conditions by utilizing transcranial direct current stimulation applied to the primary motor cortex (M1). Pre- and post-studies were conducted to demonstrate the effects of a single 20-minute session of tDCS alone, as well as to assess any potential side effects. Sixteen older individuals, both male and female, aged 65 years or older, with or without underlying diseases, were assessed for leg and hand grip strength, followed by physical performance tests. Subsequently, they underwent stimulation of the primary motor cortex through the placement of anodal tDCS (a-tDCS) over the left M1 for 20 min. Immediate effects were evaluated within 24 h, and side effects were recorded for up to 2 weeks after the stimulation. The results demonstrated that a single session of tDCS led to a significant increase in leg strength by 13 kg (5.9 to 20.1 kg, p < 0.01). There was also a significant correlation observed with hand grip strength (r = 0.68, p < 0.01). All physical performance tests, except the fastest speed in the 10-meter walk test, showed statistically significant improvements (p < 0.01). Participants reported no serious side effects, and the intervention will now be incorporated into prospective clinical studies involving older populations to compare its effectiveness with other treatments. HIGHLIGHTS A single session of tDCS led to a significant increase in leg strength. A single session of tDCS, with a significant correlation observed with hand grip strength. Physical performance tests showed statistically significant improvements after a single session of tDCS. Participants reported no serious side effects. This intervention will now be incorporated into prospective clinical studies involving older populations to compare its effectiveness with other treatments. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Research linking obesity to cellular aging-associated declines in cognitive, physical, and mental health is limited. This cross-sectional study compared relative blood leukocyte telomere length (RTL), cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), fat-free mass, muscle strength, and health-related quality of life between 68 normal-weight and 66 obese Thai women, while exploring the associations between RTL and these outcomes. The results show that the obese group exhibited significantly shorter RTL, alongside lower body mass-normalized fat-free mass and body mass-normalized hand grip strength, higher absolute hand grip strength, and lower scores in specific physical health-related quality of life subdomains compared to the normal-weight group. The adjusted correlation revealed that RTL was positively related to social functioning in the normal-weight group. However, tests for group interaction showed no significant differences in RTL–outcome relationships between groups. Furthermore, there were no longer significant following false discovery rate correction across both groups. These findings suggest that while obesity is associated with shortened cellular aging markers, reduced muscle mass and strength, and diminished physical function, it does not significantly moderate the link between RTL and these health outcomes. Studies with larger sample sizes may be needed to detect potential subtle interaction effects.