Potential of hypoxic exercise in obesity

Cilj in hkrati namen magistrskega dela je bil ugotoviti, kakšen je potencial uporabe hipoksije pri debelosti. V ta namen je bil v okviru magistrskega dela opravljen sistematični pregled dosedanjih raziskav, ki so proučevale vpliv hipoksične izpostavljenosti na debelost. Debelost je bolezen, ki predstavlja enega izmed glavnih zdravstvenih problemov v zahodnem, razvitem svetu. Predstavlja enega izmed glavnih dejavnikov tveganja za nastanek kroničnih bolezni, kot so sladkorna bolezen tipa 2, presnovni sindrom, hipertenzija, hiperlipidemija in rakava obolenja. V uvodu smo predstavili tudi vpliv in učinke telesne vadbe na debelost. Nato smo opisali še pojav hipoksije, njene lastnosti in metode višinske vadbe. V razpravi smo strnili obravnavane raziskave. Najprej smo predstavili karakteristike raziskav. Proučili smo raziskave, opravljene tako na živalih kot na ljudeh. Nato smo predstavili ugotovitve raziskav. Kljub ugotovljeni nepopolni korelaciji med hipoksično izpostavljenostjo in izgubo telesne mase smo ugotovili dovolj pozitivnih učinkov hipoksije na debelost, da bi bilo smiselno to področje nadalje raziskati. Na koncu so predstavljene smernice za nadaljnje raziskave obravnavane tematike z namenom nadaljnjega raziskovanja na področju zdravljenja debelosti s hipoksijo. Ugotovili smo, da je največji potencial uporabe hipoksije pri debelosti pri protokolih aktivne hipoksične izpostavljenosti, saj se telesna masa (predvsem maščobna) največ zmanjša pri teh protokolih, zmanjša pa se tudi pri kombinaciji aktivne in pasivne izpostavljenosti. Poleg tega smo ugotovili, da se pri aktivni hipoksični izpostavljenosti za večji odstotek zmanjša krvni tlak v primerjavi z aktivno normoksično izpostavljenostjo. Predvsem je za nadaljnje raziskave treba določiti primeren protokol, ki zavzema optimalno hipoksično izpostavljenost, intenzivnost vadbe, trajanje, način in periodizacijo vadbe, ter primeren prehranski protokol. Magistrsko delo smo zaključili s sklepom, kjer smo povzeli namen našega dela, strnili ugotovitve raziskav in povzeli smernice za nadaljnje raziskave.The main purpose of this work was to determine the potential of hypoxic exposure in obesity. We performed a systematic review of the up-to date studies, which examined the impact of hypoxic exposure in obese population. Finally, we also provide some guidelines for further research of the topic with the main aim of developing mechanicistic research projects that would enhance our understaning of hypoxia-related physiological adaptations in obesity. Obesity represents one of the world\u27s major public health problems. It is among the main risk factors for developing non-comunicable chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and cancer. In the introduction, besides a short review on the effects of obesity, we also present the impact and effects of physical exercise performed under normoxic conditions on obesity. At the end of introduction we described the phenomenon of hypoxia, its characteristics, physiological consequences and most popular hypoxic/altitude training modalities. In the main part of the thesis we discussed the findings of up-to-date studies. We present research done in both animal models as well as in humans. Despite the established incomplete correlation between hypoxic exposure and weight loss, we found positive effects of hypoxia on obesity (e.g. fat mass loss & blood pressure reductions) thus it would make sense to further explore this area. At the end of the discussion we provided guidelines for further research work. Colectively this systematic review elucidated that the greatest potential for the use of hypoxia in obesity is in active hypoxic exposure protocols, as body mass decreases to the greatest extent in such protocols. It also decreases with the combination of active and pasive hypoxic exposure. In addition, we found that blood pressure decreased by a greater percentage in active hypoxic exposure compared to active normoxic exposure. In particular, further research focusing on the use of hypoxia in obesity requires the establishment of a suitable protocols that comprise optimal hypoxic exposure, exercise intensity, duration, mode and periodization of exercise, and a suitable dietary protocol