Physical exercise is a potent non-pharmacological strategy for the prevention and management of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and certain cancers. Growing evidence demonstrates that the benefits of exercise extend beyond its physiological effects and are largely mediated by coordinated molecular and cellular adaptations. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the key mechanisms through which exercise modulates metabolic health, emphasizing intracellular signaling pathways, epigenetic regulation, and myokine-driven inter-organ communication. Exercise induces acute and chronic activation of pathways such as AMPK, PGC-1α, mTOR, MAPKs, and NF-κB, leading to enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis, improved oxidative capacity, refined energy sensing, and reduced inflammation. Additionally, repeated muscle contraction stimulates the release of myokines—including IL-6, irisin, BDNF, FGF21, apelin, and others—that act through endocrine and paracrine routes to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin secretion, adipose tissue remodeling, neuroplasticity, and systemic inflammatory tone. Epigenetic modifications and exercise-responsive microRNAs further contribute to long-term metabolic reprogramming. Collectively, these molecular adaptations establish exercise as a systemic biological stimulus capable of restoring metabolic homeostasis and counteracting the pathophysiological processes underlying NCDs. Understanding these mechanisms provides a foundation for developing targeted, personalized exercise-based interventions in preventive and therapeutic medicine.

Objectives: Interval block resistance training (IBRT) and circuit resistance training (CRT) are periodization models aimed at enhancing neuromuscular and metabolic adaptations. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a 12-week IBRT program compared to CRT on body composition, muscle strength, speed, functional capacity, and autonomic recovery in young Chilean adults. Methods: A randomized, parallel, double-blind study was conducted with 30 participants assigned to IBRT (n = 15) or CRT (n = 15). Assessments included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, right-hand grip strength, the running anaerobic sprint test (RAST), the 6 min walk test (6 MWT), and heart rate variability (HRV) indices: low-frequency to high-frequency ratio (LF/HF) and root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD, a time-domain HRV metric reflecting parasympathetic activity). Statistical analyses included t-tests and ANCOVA. Results: Groups were similar in age (IBRT: 25.2 ± 3.19; CRT: 23.27 ± 3.69, p = 0.14) and BMI (IBRT: 21.56 ± 2.22; CRT: 22.36 ± 1.70 kg/m², p = 0.40). Both groups improved significantly in waist circumference (IBRT: −1.85%; CRT: −2.37%), grip strength (IBRT: +5.47%; CRT: +4.02%), RAST (IBRT: −2.67%; CRT: −1.04%), 6 MWT (IBRT: +4.53%; CRT: +2.17%), LF/HF (IBRT: −11.43%; CRT: −5.11%), and RMSSD (IBRT: +5.36%; CRT: +3.81%) (all p ≤ 0.01). IBRT produced significantly greater gains in 6 MWT (B = 19.51, 95% CI: 0.79 to 38.23, p = 0.04). Conclusions: Both IBRT and CRT effectively improved body composition, muscle strength, speed, functional capacity, and autonomic recovery. However, IBRT demonstrated a superior effect on aerobic capacity.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare occlusal and articular characteristics between young adults with and without a confirmed diagnosis of sleep bruxism, through a case-control study based on polysomnography. Methods: We conducted a case–control study with probabilistic sampling, including 20 participants with a polysomnography-confirmed diagnosis of sleep bruxism and 20 age- and sex-matched controls. A clinical oral examination was conducted to identify wear facets, joint sounds, and soft tissue indentations. Occlusal relationships were analyzed using mounted models on a semi-adjustable articulator, evaluating interferences during working, balancing, and protrusive movements, premature contacts, attrition, and dental inclinations. Results: Sleep bruxism showed a higher frequency of temporomandibular joint sounds (35% vs. 5%; p = 0.017; w = 0.375) and left-side balancing interferences (p = 0.04; d = 0.723). Multivariate analysis revealed a moderate correlation between bruxism and the combination of joint sound and occlusal inclination (COR = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.19–0.57; I² = 0.0%). Joint sound showed a weak association with REM-related bruxism (COR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.05–0.51; I² = 21.7%) and a moderate association with non-REM bruxism (COR = 0.41). The correlation with occlusal inclination was stronger during REM sleep (COR = 0.41) than during non-REM sleep (COR = 0.35; I² = 0.0%), indicating consistent and clinically relevant associations. Conclusions: Occlusal and functional characteristics associated with sleep bruxism were identified, particularly joint sounds and dental inclinations, although no direct causal relationship was established. These findings suggest the presence of specific morphofunctional patterns that may play a role in the clinical expression of sleep bruxism.

Objectives: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the obstructive sleep apnea knowledge and attitudes (OSAKA) questionnaire among dental professionals in Colombia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Manizales, Colombia, between January and June 2024. A total of 120 dental professionals, including general dentists, specialists, residents, and academic clinicians, were selected through stratified random sampling. Participants completed the Spanish-adapted OSAKA questionnaire and a structured sociodemographic survey. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha (α) and McDonald’s Omega (Ω). Construct validity was examined through exploratory factor analysis (EFA), with Kaiser Meyer Olkin (KMO) values and Bartlett’s test. Results: The knowledge subscale (18 items) showed good reliability (α = 0.83; Ω = 0.83), while the attitude subscale (5 items) showed near-acceptable reliability (α = 0.68; Ω = 0.59). KMO values were 0.79 for knowledge and 0.57 for attitudes; Bartlett’s test was significant in both cases (p ≤ 0.001). EFA supported structural validity: six components with eigenvalues >1 explained 61.66% of the variance for knowledge, and two components explained 79.49% for attitudes. Significant differences in attitude scores were found among professional groups (p ≤ 0.001, η² = 0.13), with specialists scoring highest ($\overline{X}$ = 17.66) and general dentists lowest ($\overline{X}$ = 14.62). Knowledge scores did not significantly differ between groups (p = 0.47). Conclusions: The Spanish OSAKA questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool to assess knowledge and attitudes toward obstructive sleep apnea in Colombian dental professionals. Its use may support improved education, screening, and interdisciplinary collaboration in dental settings.

Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo determinar los eventos de bruxismo del sueño registrados por polisomnografía y la actividad de los músculos masetero y temporal registrada por electromiografía de superficie, antes y después de realizar una molienda selectiva. Este estudio comprendió tres etapas: 1. Pre-prueba (evaluación clínica, evaluación a través de articulador semiajustable, polisomnografía y electromiografía); 2. Molienda selectiva; 3. Post-prueba (polisomnografía y electromiografía). La muestra se conformó de 10 sujetos, que presentaron puntos de contacto prematuros, identificados en una clínica dental. Se evaluaron sujetos entre 21 y 23 años. Ocho sujetos presentaron interferencias posteriores durante los movimientos laterales. Los datos no cumplieron con los criterios de normalidad u homocedasticidad, por lo que se utilizó la prueba de Wilcoxon no paramétrica para comparar los promedios de las variables antes y después. Un promedio de episodios de bruxismo aumentó en las etapas 1 y REM, pero no hubo una diferencia estadística significativa en el registro polisomnográfico después de la molienda selectiva. En las etapas 2 y 3 del sueño, se encontraron 26 % y 54 % de reducciones, respectivamente. En la etapa 3, la diferencia entre los eventos fue estadísticamente significativa. El registro de la actividad electromiográfica antes y después de la molienda selectiva mostró una disminución en la amplitud, longitud y área de los músculos masetero y temporal. La diferencia fue estadísticamente significativa solo para los músculos temporales en los valores de longitud y el área temporal derecha. Después de la molienda selectiva, el número de episodios de bruxismo disminuyó durante las etapas de sueño 2 y 3. La molienda selectiva mostró una reducción estadísticamente significativa de los potenciales de acción registrados por la electromiografía de superficie del músculo temporal.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify anatomical and clinical predictors of moderate to high Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) risk in a sample of university students, with an emphasis on sex-based differences. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 340 university students (148 males, 192 females) in Manizales, Colombia. Anthropometric measurements, anatomical features (neck circumference, Mallampati index, facial profile, molar Angle classification), and validated screening tools (STOP-BANG, Epworth Sleepiness Scale) were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression models were applied globally and stratified by sex to determine predictors of moderate/high OSA risk (STOP-BANG ≥ 3). Results: Males had significantly higher STOP-BANG scores, neck circumference, and prevalence of moderate/high OSA risk (23% vs. 3.1%), while females showed higher daytime sleepiness (p < 0.001). In the global model, neck circumference (OR = 0.57, p < 0.001) and Epworth score (OR = 0.86, p = 0.01) were significant predictors. In men, neck circumference (OR = 0.62, p < 0.001) and Angle’s molar classification (OR = 0.54, p = 0.04) were associated with risk. In women, neck circumference (OR = 0.35, p = 0.01) and daytime sleepiness (OR = 0.60, p = 0.03) remained significant. Conclusions: Easily accessible anatomical and clinical markers can help identify young adults at risk for OSA. Sex-specific screening approaches may enhance early detection strategies in university populations. Implementing these tools in clinical and educational settings may improve targeted prevention, facilitate timely referral to sleep specialists, and potentially reduce long-term health complications associated with undiagnosed OSA in emerging adults.