Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk

Abstract This semi-experimental study employed a pre-test–post-test design with a control group to investigate the effects of an eight-week sport metric training program on selected hematological indices and physical performance variables in adolescent male soccer players. Thirty participants (aged 13–16 years) were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). The experimental group performed sport metric training three sessions per week for eight weeks, in addition to their routine soccer training. The control group continued only their standard soccer sessions. Hematological indices (hemoglobin, hematocrit, and blood viscosity) were measured from venous blood samples, while physical performance was assessed using the 36-meter sprint test (for speed) and the Illinois agility test. Following the intervention, the experimental group showed significant improvements compared to the control group. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels increased meaningfully (P ≤ 0.05), suggesting enhanced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Blood viscosity decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05), which may indicate improved blood flow and reduced circulatory resistance. In terms of physical performance, the experimental group exhibited substantial reductions in sprint time (36-meter sprint) and agility time (Illinois test), both reaching statistical significance (P ≤ 0.05) with large effect sizes. In conclusion, eight weeks of sport metric training produced favorable changes in hematological profiles and marked enhancements in speed and agility performance among adolescent male soccer players. The findings suggest that targeted, sport-specific training programs can serve as a valuable supplement to routine soccer training during adolescence, supporting both physiological development and on-field performance.

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the effects of two different resistance training protocols on TNF-α and adiponectin in young overweight men. Sixty healthy overweight men (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m², age 20–30 years) were randomly assigned to three groups: Experimental Group 1 (EG1), Experimental Group 2 (EG2), and Control Group (CG). EG1 performed the DeLorme-Watkins protocol, consisting of 3 sets of 10 repetitions at 50%, 75%, and 100% of 10RM, while EG2 performed HIPT, consisting of 3 sets (set 1: 6 repetitions at 70% of 1RM; set 2: 4 repetitions at 80% of 1RM; set 3: 2 repetitions at 90% of 1RM). Training lasted 8 weeks. TNF-α and adiponectin levels were measured pre- and post-intervention. One-way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc tests and paired-samples t-tests were used to analyze inter- and intra-group differences (α≤0.05). TNF-α significantly decreased in EG1 (P = 0.04), while adiponectin levels significantly increased in both EG1 (P = 0.02) and EG2 (P = 0.03) at post-test compared to pre-test. Additionally, TNF-α levels were significantly lower in EG1 than in CG at post-test (P = 0.01). Both resistance training protocols exerted beneficial effects on inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers, potentially contributing to cardiovascular disease prevention. However, the DeLorme-Watkins protocol resulted in a significantly greater reduction in TNF-α levels compared to HIPT, whereas no significant between-group difference was observed for adiponectin.

Abstract This study investigated the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and a multi-strain probiotic mixture, on the intestinal expression of FXR and PPAR-γ in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Forty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n=8): Healthy Control (HC), Diabetic Control (DC), Diabetic+HIIT (DH), Diabetic+Probiotic (DP), and Diabetic+HIIT+Probiotic (DHP). T2DM was induced via a single intraperitoneal injection of nicotinamide (95 mg/kg) followed by streptozotocin (STZ, 55 mg/kg). The HIIT protocol was performed on a rodent treadmill for 8 weeks (5 sessions/week). The probiotic mixture (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus reuteri; 1×10¹⁰ CFU/mL each) was administered daily via oral gavage. Diabetes induction significantly downregulated the intestinal expression of both FXR and PPAR-γ compared to healthy controls (p<0.001). HIIT and probiotic interventions, individually, significantly increased the expression of both nuclear receptors compared to the diabetic control group (p<0.001). Notably, the combined HIIT and probiotic intervention (DHP) produced the highest expression levels of FXR and PPAR-γ, which were significantly greater than either intervention alone (p<0.01) and restored FXR expression to levels comparable to healthy controls. Both HIIT and multi-strain probiotic supplementation effectively upregulate the intestinal expression of FXR and PPAR-γ in diabetic rats, with the combination exerting a synergistic effect. These findings identify a novel mechanism by which lifestyle interventions may restore intestinal metabolic function and inter-organ communication in T2DM, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting the gut through combined exercise and probiotic strategies.

Abstract Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease associated with neurodegeneration and impaired neurotrophic support. Neuromuscular training, through integrated activation of the nervous and muscular systems, may positively influence these neurotrophic factors. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of combined training on serum BDNF and GDNF levels in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Thirty women with multiple sclerosis (mean age: 36.2±5.8 years; BMI: 22.1±4.2 kg/m²) were purposively selected and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=15) or a control group (n=15). The experimental group completed an eight-week combined training program (three sessions per week), consisting of core stability, resistance, balance, and agility exercises with progressive overload, while exercise intensity was controlled using the Borg perceived exertion scale., while the control group continued their usual daily activities. Blood samples were collected 24 hours before and 48 hours after the final training session, and the obtained serum was used to measure BDNF and GDNF levels. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance with a significance level of 0.05, employing SPSS software (version 27). The results demonstrated that neuromuscular training induced significant increases in serum BDNF (p=0.001, η²=0.80) and GDNF (p=0.001, η²=0.79) levels in the experimental group compared with the control group. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that eight weeks of neuromuscular training elicit significant increases in serum BDNF and GDNF levels in women with multiple sclerosis. These findings indicate an enhanced neurotrophic environment that may support neural plasticity and neuroprotective mechanisms. Accordingly, neuromuscular training appears to be a safe and effective non-pharmacological strategy for improving neural health and potentially attenuating neurological dysfunctions associated with multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Type 2 diabetes in older adults is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress, with elevated interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity playing central roles in disease progression.  This study aimed to investigate the independent and combined effects of eight weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and NBS superfood supplementation on serum IL-1β and SOD levels in elderly men with type 2 diabetes. Forty older men (aged 60–75 years) with type 2 diabetes were randomly allocated using stratified block randomization to four groups (n=10 each): control, exercise-only (TR), supplement-only (SUP), and exercise + supplement (TR+SUP). The exercise groups performed supervised cycling at 60–70% Wmax, 30 min/session, 3 sessions/week for 8 weeks. The supplementation groups received 10 g/day NBS superfood. Fasting serum IL-1β and SOD were measured before and 48 hours after the intervention using ELISA. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant time × group interactions for both IL-1β (p<0.001, η²p=0.372) and SOD (p<0.001, η²p=0.892). Post-hoc tests showed the greatest reductions in IL-1β and largest increases in SOD occurred in the TR+SUP group compared to all other groups (p<0.001), indicating a synergistic effect. Eight weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise combined with NBS superfood supplementation exerts potent synergistic anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in older men with type 2 diabetes, suggesting a promising non-pharmacological strategy for managing chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.

Abstract This study was designed to conduct a bibliometric analysis of Iranian research on the effects of various resistance training protocols on muscle hypertrophy. The analysis examined temporal publication trends, prolific authors, leading research institutions, and prominent journals in this field. All relevant articles published up to the year 1403 (2024) were retrieved from the MagIran database. Inclusion criteria were limited to original peer-reviewed research articles published in Persian, while conference abstracts and other non-journal sources were excluded. Data were analyzed using VOSviewer software to perform co-authorship and keyword co-occurrence analyses. Between 1390 and 1403 (2011–2024), a total of 31 articles were published in this domain. Most publications were authored by faculty members of public (state) universities. Approximately 65% of the articles appeared in journals affiliated with the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, whereas 35% were published in medical sciences journals. Keyword analysis indicated that “resistance training” and “muscle hypertrophy” were the most frequent and central terms, with clustering results demonstrating strong interconnections among core research topics. Overall, the findings of this bibliometric analysis provide a structured overview of the research landscape and offer a roadmap for identifying research gaps, publication patterns, and future research priorities in the Iranian context.

Abstract Type 3 diabetes (T3D), defined by the concurrence of type 2 diabetes and age-related cognitive impairment, is linked to progressive deterioration in both cognitive and physical function. Emerging evidence suggests that functional exercise training prescribed in relation to individualized lactate thresholds may enhance neurocognitive and physical adaptations by matching exercise intensity to individual metabolic capacity and systemic organ cross-talk. Randomized controlled trial will examine the effects of long-term, lactate-threshold–based functional training on cognitive and physical function in older adults with T3D, highlighting the role of exercise intensity in optimizing outcomes. Sixty-six adults aged 60–80 years with Type 3 diabetes and cognitive impairment, assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination, will be recruited from the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Diabetes Association and randomly assigned to three groups. The intervention group will undertake a six-month, individualized high-intensity functional training program combining supervised and home-based sessions. Primary outcomes include changes in cognitive performance and physical function assessed using validated and standardized measures. It is hypothesized that lactate-threshold–guided functional exercise at tailored intensities will lead to significant improvements in both cognitive and physical function, emphasizing the critical role of exercise intensity in modulating neurocognitive and functional adaptations in elderly individuals with type 3 diabetes. This study aims to provide robust evidence for intensity-specific, lactate-threshold–based exercise prescriptions in this population.

Abstract Dear Editor-in-Chief
The global epidemic of childhood obesity continues to challenge healthcare systems, with recent epidemiological data confirming a tenfold increase in prevalence over four decades. While the complications of pediatric obesity are well documented, the field of predictive medicine urgently requires reliable biomarkers that identify at-risk children before irreversible metabolic dysfunction develops. The Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk has consistently highlighted the importance of inter-organ communication in metabolic health. Herein, we propose that the brain-muscle-adipose tissue triad represents a pivotal axis for developing predictive strategies in childhood obesity.
Recent evidence has substantially advanced our understanding of adipose tissue signaling in pediatric populations. A study of 104 children aged 7-18 years demonstrated that circulating spexin and adiponectin are significantly associated with insulin resistance in pediatric obesity. Notably, spexin exhibited a biphasic pattern characterized by an initial compensatory increase followed by a decompensated decrease, suggesting its potential as an early warning signal for metabolic deterioration. Adiponectin emerged as an independent determinant of HOMA-IR (β = −0.577, p = 0.005), reinforcing the central role of adipose-derived signals in systemic insulin sensitivity (Lian et al., 2026). These findings position adipokines as accessible biomarkers for stratifying risk in children with obesity.
Expanding beyond adipose tissue, large-scale proteomic analyses have revealed multi-organ signatures of cardiometabolic risk. In a cross-sectional study of 4,024 children and adolescents, Stinson and colleagues identified protein signatures linking obesity to dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and hypertension. Using machine learning approaches, a three-protein panel (CDCP1, FGF21, HAOX1) combined with liver enzymes improved prediction of steatotic liver disease compared to enzymes alone (ROC-AUC = 0.83 vs. 0.77, p < 0.05). Importantly, reductions in adiposity during a one-year intervention were associated with decreased inflammatory cytokines, demonstrating the modifiable nature of these biomarkers (Stinson et al., 2026). This work underscores that circulating proteomic signatures reflect integrated signals from multiple organs, including liver, adipose tissue, and potentially skeletal muscle.
The central nervous system's role in this crosstalk cannot be overlooked. A comprehensive Mendelian randomization study investigating the fat-brain axis revealed bidirectional causal relationships between body fat measures and brain phenotypes. Body fat composition showed negative genetic correlations with intelligence and cognitive performance, while positive correlations emerged with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, stroke, and depression. These genetic insights suggest that the brain is not merely a passive recipient of peripheral metabolic signals but actively participates in a bidirectional dialogue with adipose tissue. For predictive medicine, this implies that neurobehavioral assessments could complement biochemical markers in identifying children at greatest metabolic risk (Baranova et al., 2025).
The convergence of these findings carries translational implications. First, the identification of early biomarkers such as spexin and adiponectin enables risk stratification before frank insulin resistance develops. Second, proteomic signatures incorporating multiple organ-derived proteins offer enhanced predictive accuracy for specific outcomes like steatotic liver disease. Third, genetic evidence linking brain phenotypes to body fat measures suggests that predictive models should incorporate both biochemical and neurobehavioral parameters.
For JEOCT readers, these advances highlight opportunities for exercise-based interventions targeting inter-organ communication Physical activity potently modulates the secretome of skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and potentially the brain. Understanding how exercise-induced signals influence the brain-muscle-adipose triad could inform personalized exercise prescriptions for children with obesity. Future research should prioritize longitudinal studies mapping the temporal dynamics of these biomarkers during childhood development and in response to lifestyle interventions.
In conclusion, the brain-muscle-adipose tissue triad represents a conceptual framework for predictive medicine in childhood obesity. By integrating adipose-derived signals, multi-organ proteomic signatures, and brain-body genetic links, we can move toward early identification of at-risk children and targeted preventive strategies. The Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk is ideally positioned to advance this research agenda.