University of Granada researchers study obesity and cardiovascular health

Researchers from the University of Granada, through the Mixed University Institute of Sport and Health, have conducted clinical studies focusing on obesity management and cardiovascular health markers.

The TEMPUS project, published in Nature Communications, investigated the efficacy of combining intermittent fasting with supervised exercise. The 12-week clinical trial involved 187 adults with obesity, divided into four groups: standard care, intermittent fasting (an eight-hour eating window), supervised exercise (combining strength and high-intensity aerobic training), and a combination of both. The study aimed to measure changes in weight, body composition, fitness, and liver fat via magnetic resonance imaging.

In a separate study involving international collaborators, scientists identified molecular signatures in the blood associated with cardiorespiratory fitness. This physiological marker, which reflects how effectively the body uses oxygen, is a key indicator of longevity and reduced risk for cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers. The research seeks to find blood-based biomarkers that could replace the need for maximum effort stress tests in clinical settings.