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Purpose: Low physical activity in the academic workplace may increase the risk of cardiometabolic disease. This randomised controlled trial investigated the effect of 14 weeks of concurrent exercise training (CT) on components of metabolic syndrome, body composition, insulin resistance, and markers of systemic inflammation in inactive academics., Methods: 59 inactive academics were randomised into a CT (n = 29) or wait-list control group (n = 30). CT performed supervised training at an onsite facility 3 times per week for 14 weeks and cardiometabolic health was assessed pre- and post-intervention. Aerobic capacity was measured via a metabolic cart. Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry measured fat mass, lean mass, and central adiposity. Fasting blood samples were analysed for interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), glucose, and lipid profile., Results: Following the intervention, there was a decrease in fat mass (mean ± SD;  - 1.3 ± 1.4%), android fat mass (median (IQR);  - 0.06 (0.27) kg), and visceral adipose tissue (median (IQR);  - 66 (110) cm 3 ) in CT, but not control. Lean mass (median (IQR); 1.35 (1.86) kg) and aerobic capacity (mean ± SD; 4.0 ± 3.1 mL/kg/min) increased in CT, but not in control. There were no changes in IL-6, TNF-a, HOMA-IR, glucose, or lipid profile in response to the intervention (P > 0.05). Changes in insulin resistance were positively associated with IL-6 in the control group only (coefficients [95%CI]; 5.957 [2.961, 8.953])., Conclusion: Implementing combined aerobic and resistance exercise training programs in academic institutions may be an appropriate intervention to increase physical activity and reduce risk factors associated with cardiometabolic disease., Trial Registration: The study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry on the  23rd  of April, 2019 (ACTRN12619000608167)., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Objectives: This study assessed the effect of a 12-week sports-based exercise intervention on glucose regulation, anthropometry and inflammatory markers associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Indigenous Australian men., Design: Twenty-six inactive Indigenous Australian men (48.6±6.6 years) were randomized into exercise (n=16) or control (n=10)conditions., Methods: Training included ∼2-3 days/week for 12 weeks of sports and gym exercises in a group environment, whilst control participants maintained normal activity and dietary patterns. Pre- and post-intervention testing included: anthropometry, peak aerobic capacity, fasting blood chemistry of inflammatory cytokines, adiponectin, leptin, cholesterol, glucose, insulin and C-peptide. An oral glucose tolerance test measured glucose, insulin and C-peptide 30, 60, 90 and 120min post 75g glucose ingestion., Results: The exercise condition decreased insulin area under the curve (25±22%), increased estimated insulin sensitivity (35±62%) and decreased insulin resistance (9±35%; p<0.05), compared with control (p>0.05). The exercise condition decreased in body mass index, waist circumference and waist to hip ratio (p<0.05), compared to control (p>0.05). Leptin decreased in the exercise group, with no changes for adiponectin (p>0.05) or inflammatory markers (p>0.05) in either condition. Aerobic fitness variables showed significant increases in peak oxygen consumption for the exercise condition compared to no change in control (p>0.05)., Conclusions: Findings indicate positive clinical outcomes in metabolic, anthropometric and aerobic fitness variables. This study provides evidence for sport and group-based activities leading to improved clinical risk factors associated with T2DM development in clinically obese Indigenous Australian men., (Copyright © 2014 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study investigated the acute effects of two exercise modes, including cycle ergometry and modified rugby on inflammation and glucose regulation within an Indigenous Australian population. Ten sedentary, untrained Indigenous male participants volunteered to participate and were not clinically diagnosed with cardiovascular or metabolic disorders. Following baseline testing and in a randomized cross-over design participants completed two exercise protocols (cycle ergometry and modified rugby) of 40-min duration separated by 7 days' recovery. Fasting venous blood was collected pre, post, 30, 60 and 240 min post exercise for analysis of glucose, insulin, cortisol and inflammatory markers of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-1 receptor agonist (ra) and C-reactive protein (CRP). IL-6 and IL-1ra were significantly (P < 0.05) increased within the 240 min post-exercise period, without significant differences between protocols (P > 0.05). There were no significant changes within or between protocols for TNF-α, IL-1β and CRP (P > 0.05). A comparison of insulin resistance: homeostasis model (HOMA) between resting and 240 min post exercise shows a change from a baseline value of 4.44 (3.71) to 1.76 (1.67) HOMA in cycle ergometry (P < 0.05) and to 1.54 (1.33) HOMA in modified rugby (P < 0.05), without differences between sessions (P > 0.05). This study identified similar acute inflammatory and glucose regulatory responses between cycle ergometry and modified rugby. Prescribing modified rugby as a mode of physical activity may provide Indigenous populations with a community-based approach to promote increased engagement in physical activity and assist in the acute regulation of glucose disposal and inflammatory cytokines.