Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of different nutritional strategies, specifically intermittent fasting (IF) combined with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus a low-calorie diet (LCD), on body composition, physical performance, and the orexinergic system in postmenopausal women. Methods: A randomized controlled trial involving thirty postmenopausal women (mean age 57.50 ± 6.50 years) was conducted over eight weeks, comparing the two dietary approaches alongside an 8-week HIIT program. Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Performance metrics included handgrip strength and the 6-min walking test (6MWT). Salivary samples were analyzed for Orexin-A (OX-A) levels pre- and post-intervention. Results: Significant improvements in health metrics, such as heart rate (HR) and endurance, were found, with mean HR changes showing a significant difference (F = 5.943, p = 0.033) between the groups at T1. Orexin-A levels reflected significant metabolic regulation shifts in relation to other variables, showing a change from baseline to post-intervention values at T1 (F = 10,931, p = 0.033). Flexibility (sit and reach) significantly improved by 6% (p < 0.05), as well as ${\mathrm{VO}}_2$ max (10%, p < 0.05), both highlighted as key predictors of overall health outcomes. Additionally, Cohen’s d analyses indicated that the dietary groups exhibited notable differences in endurance, with the LCD group showing a Cohen’s d of −0.90, suggesting a large effect size compared with the control group. Conclusions: The combination of IF and HIIT is an effective nutritional strategy for enhancing body composition and physical performance in postmenopausal women, potentially mediated by changes in the orexinergic system. Further research is warranted to explore long-term effects and underlying mechanisms.

(1) This systematic review evaluates the role of structured exercise within the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, a multidisciplinary approach designed to reduce surgical stress and enhance recovery. Prehabilitation, primarily through controlled physical activity, is a fundamental component of ERAS, preparing patients, both physically and mentally, for major surgery. (2) A systematic search following PRISMA guidelines was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Wiley databases to identify relevant studies published up to January 2025. Inclusion criteria encompassed randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and meta-analyses reporting postoperative complications, length of hospital stay (LOS), and overall recovery. (3) A total of 64 studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings consistently demonstrate that structured exercise interventions—such as aerobic activities, resistance training, and flexibility routines—were associated with postoperative complications, shorten hospital stays, and enhance functional recovery. These interventions improve cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and psychological well-being. (4) Despite potential limitations in the systematic search, as heterogeneity of protocols, publication bias, language restrictions, the evidence supports the integration of structured exercise as a cornerstone of ERAS prehabilitation. Future research should focus on standardizing exercise protocols and exploring personalized strategies to optimize surgical outcomes across diverse patient populations.

Gait and balance impairments in Parkinson’s disease (PD) severely compromise mobility and independence. This exploratory randomized pilot study evaluated a multimodal Adapted Physical Activity (APA) protocol, a tango-based program (Riabilitango^®, RT), and standard care regarding walking distance, static postural stability, joint range of motion, and plantar-load redistribution. Twenty-seven participants with PD (Hoehn and Yahr 1–3) were allocated to APA (n = 10), RT (n = 10), or Control (n = 7). The active groups completed 24 supervised sessions over 12 weeks. Static postural stability and treadmill-based walking distance were evaluated at baseline and post-intervention. Both active interventions showed favorable static sway profiles compared to Control, though between-group differences were non-significant. Crucially, APA demonstrated a significantly greater post-intervention improvement in walking distance than RT and Control. Exploratory analyses linked APA walking gains to adaptations in joint mobility and plantar-load redistribution. In conclusion, multimodal APA showed the clearest functional signal for improving walking distance in PD, whereas Riabilitango^® offered a complementary profile focused on sensorimotor integration and balance. These preliminary pilot findings warrant confirmation in larger prospective trials.

Background: Breath-hold training (BHT) has emerged as a novel strategy to enhance metabolic efficiency and autonomic resilience in national-level athletes. This signal-generating single-case study examined physiological and neuroendocrine adaptations to an eight-week BHT program in a nationally ranked competitive swimmer. Methods: A national-level 23-year-old female freestyle sprinter (50 m best time = 26.59 s; 100 m = 60.40 s) completed three weekly BHT sessions integrated into her regular training. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included an incremental Mader cycling test with measurements of blood lactate ($\left[{\mathrm{La}}^{-}\right]$), heart rate (HR), salivary cortisol (sCort), and salivary alpha-amylase (sAA). Blood chemistry and pulmonary function, including diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), were also evaluated. Results: Post intervention, the athlete demonstrated reduced $\left[{\mathrm{La}}^{-}\right]$ and HR at all workloads, a 20 W increase in power at 4 mmol·L⁻¹ $\left[{\mathrm{La}}^{-}\right]$, and an elevated final workload achieved during the Mader test. Salivary stress biomarkers showed blunted responses with significant reductions in area under the curve and large effect sizes. These changes were observed under standardized pre-analytical conditions and individualized training adjustments. Conclusions: This study highlights coordinated improvements in metabolic, cardiovascular, and stress regulation mechanisms following BHT in a swimmer with verified national-level performance benchmarks. BHT, when applied in sport-specific contexts, may serve as an effective adjunct to high-performance training.

Background: In Parkinson’s disease (PD), gait and balance impairments severely reduce patient independence. This exploratory study compared a multimodal Adapted Physical Activity (APA) protocol, a tango-based program (Riabilitango®, RT), and standard care (Control), while examining how joint constraints and plantar load distributions affect dynamic locomotor outcomes. Methods: Twenty-seven participants (Hoehn & Yahr stage 1–3) were divided into APA (n=10), RT (n=10), and Control (n=7) groups for a 3-month supervised intervention (24 sessions). Blinded assessors evaluated static balance and walking performance on a WalkerView™ treadmill at baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1). Results: At T1, both active groups showed large effect sizes for reduced static sway versus Control, though differences were not statistically significant. Notably, the APA cohort demonstrated a substantial, significant increase in dynamic gait distance (d=2.17 vs. Control; d=1.50 vs. RT), whereas RT showed no significant walking improvements. APA also minimized the impact of joint range of motion constraints and suggested superior active postural-load regulation. Conclusions: While both interventions benefited static posture, APA was uniquely effective in improving walking distance, likely due to task-specific behavioral adaptations countering rigidity.