Can therapeutic ultrasound associated with Aussie current and combined with high-intensity interval training promote changes in free glycerol levels and lipid profile in obese people?

• Grant number: 25/03343-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Aparecida Maria Catai
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Aparecida Marcondes Scalli
• Supervisor: David Christopher Nieman
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: North Carolina State University Plant For Human Health Institute, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/09365-3 - Effects of combined therapy with therapeutic ultrasound and Aussie current associated with high-intensity interval training on abdominal adiposity and body composition: randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial, BP.DD

Abstract

Background: The WHO and the American College of Sports Medicine recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week for adults. Despite this, the World Obesity Federation predicts that by 2035 more than half of the global population will be overweight or obese, with lack of time for physical training being a common barrier. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) offers similar or superior health benefits compared to moderate-intensity training, while requiring less time. Abdominal obesity is a cardiovascular risk factor, and interventions such as therapeutic ultrasound, which induces pyroptosis and glycerol release, are gaining attention. However, the combined effects of therapeutic ultrasound, Aussie current and HIIT on glycerol levels and lipid profiles over 10 sessions still need to be explored. The present study aims to investigate whether therapeutic ultrasound affects lipolysis and whether HIIT oxidizes serum glycerol after 1 and 10 sessions in overweight and obese individuals.Methods: Obese and overweight individuals will be subjected to a program of i) application of therapeutic ultrasound, aimed at lipolysis, combined with the correct Aussie to drain glycerol into the bloodstream and immediately after application ii) performance of the HIIT protocol during 10 sessions (5 weeks). Biochemical, nutritional and body composition variables will be assessed at three different times: before nutritional counseling, 30 days after nutritional counseling and after the 10 intervention sessions. The data will be analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and the significance level adopted for all hypothesis tests will be 5%. Expected results: The proposed intervention offer new therapeutic strategies to improve the metabolic health of overweight and obese populations. Than, is expected to contribute to obesity control and raise awareness about the importance of health care with non-invasive physiotherapy treatments. (AU)