Yunhang Lu

Correction on: Ji F, Wang S, Wang L, Zhao Y, Zhong J, Wang R, Qu J, Lu Y, Yuan N and Zhang Q (2026) The impact of short-term intensive fasting on physical health and gut microbiota in obese individuals. Front. Nutr. 13:1873000. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1873000 The funder Soochow University (Grant No. AS10602725) was erroneously omitted from the Funding statement.The correct Funding statement reads: "The author(s) declared that financial support was received for the conduct and/or publication of this work. This study was funded by Soochow University, Suzhou, China (Grant No. AS10602725) under the Humanities and Social Sciences Research (Applied Disciplines) Project: "Comprehensive Research on Health Management throughout the Life Cycle." Additional support was provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 82470165, awarded to NY)."In the Acknowledgements, "Yaozhong Hu" was misspelled as "Yaozhong Wu".The correct Acknowledgements statement reads: "We thank all the volunteers participating in this short-term intensive fasting study and the campus Hospital of Soochow University for providing the facilities for the collection of blood samples and taking physical measurements. We further thank Yaozhong Hu and his team for their advice on the short-term intensive fasting protocol."The original version of this article has been updated.

Objective: The systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of combined aerobic and resistance exercise (CE) on metabolic blood biomarkers (MBB), quality of life (QoL), and QoL subscales in women with breast cancer (BC). A secondary objective was to investigate whether exercise dose characteristics influenced these outcomes. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were comprehensively searched for studies investigating the effects of CE on BC patients across four databases (PubMed, Cochrane, MEDLINE, and Web of Science). The standardized mean difference (Hedges’ g ) was calculated using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA V4), and the risk of bias was assessed using RevMan 5.4. Results: Of the 2,654 records identified, 37 RCTs met the inclusion criteria, with 24 RCTs focusing on overall QoL, nine evaluating FACT-B, and six to nine RCTs assessing MBB outcomes. CE exercise significantly improved overall QoL (Hedges’ g = 1.10; 95% CI: 0.72, 1.48; p < 0.0001), FACT-B (Hedges’ g = 1.14; 95% CI: 0.46, 1.81; p = 0.001), HDL (Hedges’ g = 0.828; 95% CI: 0.051, 1.606; p = 0.037), HOMA-IR (Hedges’ g = − 0.581, 95% CI: − 1.059, − 0.103; p = 0.017), and DBP (Hedges’ g = − 0.39; 95% CI: − 0.786, − 0.0008; p = 0.045). No significant effects were observed for glucose, insulin, triglycerides, LDL, or SBP. Secondary analyses further suggested that higher exercise doses may be associated with greater improvements in these outcomes than shorter exercise doses. Conclusion: CE was associated with significant improvements in MBB, QoL, and QoL subscales in breast cancer patients; however, substantial heterogeneity should be considered when interpreting these findings. Exercise dose characteristics may influence QoL and selected MBB outcomes. Further studies are needed to evaluate the optimal dose–response effects of CE in BC patients. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251032722 , identifier CRD420251032722.

Objectives: This study aimed to characterize how a 7-day complete water-only fast followed by structured refeeding was associated with changes in body weight, hydration-dependent bioelectrical-impedance estimates, physical test performance, cardiovascular indicators, and gut microbial ecology in adults with obesity and normal-weight controls. Methods: Seventy-two eligible volunteers formed prespecified BMI sampling strata (normal weight, n = 36; obesity, n = 36), from which 14 participants were randomly selected within each stratum before the intervention and before outcome collection ( N = 28). All selected participants completed a supervised 7-day water-only fast followed by a 7-day structured refeeding period. Physical indicators were assessed pre-fasting, post-fasting, and post-refeeding and analyzed using two-factor mixed-design repeated-measures models; gut microbiota (16S rRNA) was profiled pre- and post-fasting. Results: BMI-group-by-time interactions were significant for body weight and BMI (both p < 0.001) but not for BIA-derived fat mass, body-fat percentage, or muscle mass (all p > 0.05). Dynamometer-recorded grip, knee-flexion, and knee-extension scores increased over time (all time-effect p < 0.001), but none showed a BMI-group-by-time interaction (all p ≥ 0.340). Gut microbial alpha diversity remained largely stable apart from an FDR-significant ACE-index reduction in the normal-weight group ( q = 0.021); most taxonomic findings did not survive FDR correction, and beta-diversity analysis showed no community-level convergence between groups. Conclusion: Supervised seven-day water-only fasting followed by structured refeeding was associated with reduced body weight, particularly in participants with obesity. Changes in body composition were BIA-derived estimates, while higher dynamometer scores represented measured test performance that may have been influenced by familiarization. Gut-microbiota alpha diversity was largely stable, with exploratory compositional changes supporting further investigation in controlled studies.

Background: Mouth rinsing with carbohydrate (CHO), caffeine (CAF), or menthol (MEN) is a non-ingestive strategy that may enhance exercise performance and alter ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), but findings remain inconsistent. This systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) compared their relative effects. Methods: This prospectively registered review (PROSPERO CRD420261282363) followed PRISMA-NMA. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and SPORTDiscus were searched to 3 April 2026. Randomized controlled and crossover trials were eligible. RoB 2 and Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis (CINeMA) were used to assess risk of bias and certainty of evidence. Pairwise and network meta-analyses were performed in Stata 18.0, effects were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMDs), and rankings were based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). Results: Fifty-seven studies involving 609 participants were included. The evidence base primarily comprised trained or physically active individuals, and the exercise protocols predominantly involved cycling- or running-based endurance tasks. CAF ranked first for time to exhaustion (SUCRA = 85.1%), work done during a fixed-time test (83.4%), and RPE (74.0%). MEN ranked first for time to complete a fixed amount of work (79.8%) and mean power (77.3%), whereas CHO ranked second across all five outcomes. The NMA showed no statistically significant differences among CHO, CAF, and MEN. Compared with placebo (PLA), CAF (SMD = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.13, 1.01) and CHO (SMD = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.75) significantly prolonged time to exhaustion. CAF (SMD = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.86) and CHO (SMD = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.60) also significantly increased work done during a fixed-time test. CHO significantly reduced RPE (SMD = −0.14, 95% CI: −0.26, −0.02). No significant effects relative to PLA were observed for time to complete a fixed amount of work or mean power. Conclusion: The relative advantages appeared outcome-specific. CAF showed the most favorable ranking trends for fatigue tolerance, sustained output, and RPE, whereas MEN ranked highest for completion efficiency and mean power. Because CHO, CAF, and MEN did not differ significantly, these rankings should be interpreted probabilistically rather than as evidence of clear superiority. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261282363 , identifier CRD420261282363.

Objectives: Consumer satisfaction (CS) is a crucial indicator that influences sports brand marketing, yet research examining it from the perspective of consumer self-image congruence (SIC) remains limited. This study focuses on sports brands to explore the effects of brand image (BI) and product quality (PQ) on CS, while testing the mediating role of consumer SIC in the relationship between these factors and satisfaction. This work aims to provide empirical evidence for sports brands to enhance CS and refine brand strategies. Methods: Questionnaires distributed both online and offline with random sampling were used to collect data from 534 Chinese sports brand consumers. The measurement tools included the Consumer Satisfaction Scale, the Self-Image Congruence Scale, the Brand Image Scale, and the Product Quality Scale. Descriptive and correlation analyses were conducted using SPSS 27.0, while confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were performed using AMOS 24.0. Results: Significant positive correlations existed among BI, PQ, SIC, and CS ( p < 0.01), and model fit was satisfactory (CMIN/DF = 2.793, RMSEA = 0.058, CFI = 0.930, TLI = 0.922, IFI = 0.930). Path analysis further revealed that BI and PQ significantly and positively predicted SIC and CS, while SIC significantly and positively predicted CS (all paths p ≤ 0.001). Mediational analysis indicated that SIC partially mediated the BI→CS relationship (indirect effect = 0.141, 95% CI [0.082, 0.226], accounting for 44.90% of the total effect). Furthermore, SIC partially mediated the relationship between PQ and CS (indirect effect = 0.192, 95% CI [0.108, 0.300], accounting for 34.66% of the total effect). Conclusion: Both sports BI and PQ significantly enhance CS, with consumer SIC partially mediating the effects of BI and PQ on satisfaction. Therefore, sports brands should simultaneously focus on improving PQ and shaping BI that align with the self-image of target consumer groups to enhance satisfaction.

Objective: The acceleration of population aging has become a major bottleneck constraining improvements in the quality of life of middle-aged and older adults. Enhancing subjective wellbeing is a critical entry point for overcoming this constraint and addressing this developmental challenge. Insufficient physical exercise is associated with subjective wellbeing and physical health among middle-aged and older people. This study aimed to explore the effect of physical exercise on the subjective wellbeing of middle-aged and older adults and examine the chain mediating role of self-esteem and psychological resilience. Methods: A total of 601 middle-aged and older people were surveyed using physical exercise scale, self-esteem scale, psychological resilience scale, and subjective wellbeing scale. The data were analyzed by reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, common method bias test, correlation analysis, structural equation model, and Bootstrap method to test the mediating effect. Results: Physical exercise had a significant positive correlation on the subjective wellbeing of middle-aged and older people ( β = 0.229, p < 0.001). Self-esteem ( β = 0.505, p < 0.001, 95%CI = [0.099, 0.238]) and psychological resilience ( β = 0.271, p < 0.001, 95%CI = [0.020, 0.093]) played an independent mediating role in this effect. Self-esteem and psychological resilience ( β = 0.531, p < 0.001, 95%CI = [0.042, 0.118]) played a chain-mediating role in the effect of physical exercise on subjective wellbeing in middle-aged and older people. Conclusion: Using a chain mediation model, this study explored the relationship between physical exercise and subjective wellbeing among middle-aged and older people, as well as the mediating roles of self-esteem and psychological resilience. The results indicate that physical exercise is significantly and positively associated with subjective wellbeing and that self-esteem and psychological resilience exert a significant chain mediating effect in this relationship. This study not only confirms the important role of physical exercise in enhancing subjective wellbeing but also deepens understanding of the underlying mechanisms, thereby providing a theoretical basis for promoting the physical and mental health of middle-aged and older people.

Background: This study examined the relationships between Chinese university track-and-field coaches’ communication ability, student-athletes’ sport passion, and ego-resilience. It further tested whether sport passion mediates the association between coaches’ communication ability and athletes’ ego-resilience. Methods: A questionnaire survey was applied to Chinese university track-and-field student-athletes, yielding 412 valid responses. Descriptive statistics were computed, and the psychometric properties of the measures were evaluated using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and reliability analysis. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine bivariate associations. Subsequently, structural equation modeling was performed to test the hypothesized direct and indirect (mediated) pathways with model fit evaluated using commonly accepted fit indices. Results: The structural model demonstrated acceptable fit (χ ² /df = 2.261, RMR = 0.020, RMSEA = 0.055, CFI = 0.978, TLI = 0.967). Coaches’ communication ability had significant positive effects on sport passion ( B = 0.668, p < 0.001) and ego-resilience ( B = 0.294, p < 0.001), and sport passion positively predicted ego-resilience ( B = 0.552, p < 0.001). Sport passion significantly mediated the association between coaches’ communication ability and ego-resilience. Conclusion: Findings highlight the importance of coaches’ communication ability in fostering student-athletes’ adaptive psychological resources. Interventions aimed at improving coaches’ communication may help strengthen athletes’ sport passion and in turn support the development of ego-resilience.

Objectives: This meta-analysis aimed to identify gender-based differences of both overall Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and individual FMS components in male and female groups. Methods: A comprehensive search was performed across three major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) to ensure rigorous inclusion criteria. Data collection took place from 2016 to 2024, and 1,235 articles were identified. After scrutiny, 20 met the requirements for inclusion. The Review Manager 5.4 and CMAv4 software were utilized to examine the FMS score results to ensure rigorous statistical evaluation. Data were synthesized using a random-effect model, with the Mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) used to calculate effect size. Results: The overall FMS score showed that the functional movement capacities of males and females differed; females performed higher (MD = −0.46, 95% CI = −0.83 to −0.08, P = 0.02) compared to males. A meta-analysis of 7 individual FMS components was conducted to assess the importance for both sexes. However, tests on specific areas showed significant gender differences: females outperformed males in shoulder mobility (p < 0.00001), active straight leg raise (p < 0.00001), hurdle step (p = 0.01), and rotary stability (p = 0.002). In contrast, males demonstrated significantly greater trunk stability (p < 0.0001) compared to females. Despite this, the in-line lunge (p = 0.42) and deep squat (p = 0.20) demonstrated no significant difference across gender. Conclusion: These outcomes highlight significant gender-based differences that can help identify weaknesses and strengths, which may assist coaches, trainers, and individuals in recommending gender-specific exercises and training programs. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=1043946 , identifier CRD420251043946.

Drug-dependent individuals often face severe physical and mental health impairments, necessitating safe and adaptable rehabilitation strategies. This study aims to investigate the effects of Pilates exercise on the physical and mental health of drug-dependent individuals. Specifically, the study seeks to evaluate changes in body composition, physical fitness, blood biochemistry, and psychological outcomes following a structured Pilates intervention. This study was conducted as a double-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. A total of 43 substance-dependent individuals were recruited from the Judong Drug Rehabilitation Center and randomly assigned to either the Pilates intervention group (n = 22) or the control group (n = 21). The experimental group underwent Pilates program of two weekly sessions for 24 weeks, while the control group received conventional rehabilitation. We assessed physical and mental health indicators at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks. Repeated measures analysis of variance was employed to discern inter-group differences, and Spearman correlation analysis was applied to assess the relationship between fluctuations in scores on anxiety and depression scales and those of associated physiological metrics. After 24 weeks of Pilates intervention, the intervention group showed significant improvements (p < 0.05) in body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass, sit-and-reach distance, push-up performance, one-leg standing with eyes closed, vital capacity, white blood cell count, and neutrophil count. Psychological assessments revealed significant differences in scores on the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) between the experimental and control groups (p < 0.01), with more pronounced effects in the experimental group. Additionally, changes in SDS scores were correlated with changes in sit-and-reach distance (r = -0.657, p < 0.001), one-leg standing with eyes closed (r = -0.734, p < 0.001), and vital capacity (r = -0.490, p = 0.001). Changes in SAS scores were correlated with changes in the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (r = -0.304, p = 0.048), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (r = -0.320, p = 0.037), sit-and-reach distance (r = -0.595, p < 0.001), one-leg standing with eyes closed (r = -0.704, p < 0.001), and vital capacity (r = -0.472, p = 0.001). The Pilates intervention significantly enhanced participants’ physical attributes—body composition, strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, lung function, and immune response—while alleviating anxiety and depression. Correlations were identified between mental health improvements and physical gains, indicating that tailored exercise, informed by ongoing health monitoring, could optimize drug rehabilitation outcomes. ChiCTR-IPR-2400087067, Registered on: 18/7/2024.