Research on physical health assessment and intervention strategies for college students based on biomarkers

  • Zhihai He Office of Teaching and Research, School of Physical Education, Harbin Institute of Physical Education, Harbin 150006, China
  • Shuaishuai Xu Office of Teaching and Research, School of Physical Education, Harbin Institute of Physical Education, Harbin 150006, China
  • Zhonglou Zhang Office of Teaching and Research, School of Physical Education, Harbin Institute of Physical Education, Harbin 150006, China
Keywords: tailored wellness program; internet of things (IoT) gadgets; biomarkers; structural equation modeling (SEM); physical health; psychological health
Article ID: 402

Abstract

Effective physical health assessments and intervention strategies are crucial for college students, who often face unique stressors that can impact their physiological health. In this analysis, we explore how biomarkers can be utilized to assess physical health and the efficacy of targeted interventions for this demographic. Hypotheses were developed based on the three intervention groups: (1) a face-to-face intervention group receiving a tailored wellness program, (2) an Internet of Things (IoT) gadgets intervention group using a health management assessment, and (3) a control group with only baseline and follow-up measurements. College students (n = 204) were randomized into these groups. Biomarkers related to stress and inflammation (e.g., cortisol levels, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)) were measured at baseline, post-intervention (10 weeks), and follow-up (36 weeks). Psychological and physical health outcomes were also assessed using standardized questionnaires. The Mixed-Effects Models, ANOVA, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were used to analyze the differences between groups, changes in biomarkers over time, and the relationships between psychological, physiological, and lifestyle variables. Results indicated that the face-to-face wellness group demonstrated significantly better physical health outcomes compared to both the IoT gadgets group and control group, with diet modification showing the highest effectiveness, followed by physical activity and stress management interventions.

References

1. Davis, S.L., Latimer, M. and Rice, M., 2023. Biomarkers of stress and inflammation in children. Biological Research for Nursing, 25(4), pp.559-570. https://doi.org/10.1177/10998004231168805

2. Jeddi, M.Z., Hopf, N.B., Viegas, S., Price, A.B., Paini, A., van Thriel, C., Benfenati, E., Ndaw, S., Bessems, J., Behnisch, P.A. and Leng, G., 2021. Towards a systematic use of effect biomarkers in population and occupational biomonitoring. Environment International, 146, p.106257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.106257

3. Simonato, M., Agoston, D.V., Brooks-Kayal, A., Dulla, C., Fureman, B., Henshall, D.C., Pitkänen, A., Theodore, W.H., Twyman, R.E., Kobeissy, F.H. and Wang, K.K., 2021. Identification of clinically relevant biomarkers of epileptogenesis—a strategic roadmap. Nature Reviews Neurology, 17(4), pp.231-242. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-021-00461-4

4. Thomas Craig, K.J., Morgan, L.C., Chen, C.H., Michie, S., Fusco, N., Snowdon, J.L., Scheufele, E., Gagliardi, T. and Sill, S., 2021. Systematic review of context-aware digital behavior change interventions to improve health. Translational behavioral medicine, 11(5), pp.1037-1048. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibaa099

5. Maniaci, A., Iannella, G., Cocuzza, S., Vicini, C., Magliulo, G., Ferlito, S., Cammaroto, G., Meccariello, G., De Vito, A., Nicolai, A. and Pace, A., 2021. Oxidative stress and inflammation biomarker expression in obstructive sleep apnea patients. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(2), p.277. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10020277

6. Milheiro, J.A.D.S.B., 2024. Impact of allostatic biomarkers on health and performance.

7. Wang, H., Tian, Q., Zhang, J., Liu, H., Zhang, X., Cao, W., Zhang, J., Anto, E.O., Li, X., Wang, X. and Liu, D., 2020. Population-based case-control study revealed metabolomic biomarkers of suboptimal health status in Chinese population—potential utility for innovative approach by predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine. EPMA Journal, 11, pp.147-160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13167-020-00200-7

8. Manser, P., Thalmann, M., Adcock, M., Knols, R.H. and de Bruin, E.D., 2021. Can reactivity of heart rate variability be a potential biomarker and monitoring tool to promote healthy aging? A systematic review with meta-analyses. Frontiers in Physiology, 12, p.686129. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.686129

9. García-Gutiérrez, M.S., Navarrete, F., Sala, F., Gasparyan, A., Austrich-Olivares, A. and Manzanares, J., 2020. Biomarkers in psychiatry: concept, definition, types, and relevance to the clinical reality. Frontiers in psychiatry, 11, p.432. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00432

10. Špiljak, B., Vilibić, M., Glavina, A., Crnković, M., Šešerko, A. and Lugović-Mihić, L., 2022. A review of psychological stress among students and its assessment using salivary biomarkers. Behavioral sciences, 12(10), p.400. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12100400

11. Sadjapong, U., Yodkeeree, S., Sungkarat, S. and Siviroj, P., 2020. Multicomponent exercise program reduces frailty and inflammatory biomarkers and improves physical performance in community-dwelling older adults: A randomized controlled trial. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(11), p.3760. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17113760

12. Englund, D.A., Sakamoto, A.E., Fritsche, C.M., Heeren, A.A., Zhang, X., Kotajarvi, B.R., Lecy, D.R., Yousefzadeh, M.J., Schafer, M.J., White, T.A. and Atkinson, E.J., 2021. Exercise reduces circulating biomarkers of cellular senescence in humans. Aging Cell, 20(7), p.e13415. https://doi.org/10.1111/acel.13415

13. Hadgraft, N.T., Winkler, E., Climie, R.E., Grace, M.S., Romero, L., Owen, N., Dunstan, D., Healy, G. and Dempsey, P.C., 2021. Effects of sedentary behaviour interventions on biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk in adults: systematic review with meta-analyses. British journal of sports medicine, 55(3), pp.144-154. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2019-101154

14. Vatic, M., von Haehling, S. and Ebner, N., 2020. Inflammatory biomarkers of frailty. Experimental Gerontology, 133, p.110858. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2020.110858

15. Strehli, I., Burns, R.D., Bai, Y., Ziegenfuss, D.H., Block, M.E. and Brusseau, T.A., 2021. Mind–body physical activity interventions and stress-related physiological markers in educational settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(1), p.224. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18010224

16. Motahari-Nezhad, H., Al-Abdulkarim, H., Fgaier, M., Abid, M.M., Péntek, M., Gulácsi, L. and Zrubka, Z., 2022. Digital Biomarker–Based Interventions: Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(12), p.e41042. https://doi.org/10.2196/41042

17. Costache, A.D., Costache, I.I., Miftode, R.Ș., Stafie, C.S., Leon-Constantin, M.M., Roca, M., Drugescu, A., Popa, D.M., Mitu, O., Mitu, I. and Miftode, L.I., 2021. Beyond the finish line: The impact and dynamics of biomarkers in physical exercise—a narrative review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(21), p.4978. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10214978

18. Morelli, C., Avolio, E., Galluccio, A., Caparello, G., Manes, E., Ferraro, S., Caruso, A., De Rose, D., Barone, I., Adornetto, C. and Greco, G., 2021. Nutrition education program and physical activity improve the adherence to the Mediterranean diet: impact on inflammatory biomarker levels in healthy adolescents from the DIMENU longitudinal study. Frontiers in nutrition, 8, p.685247. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.685247

19. Wong, M.M., Tahir, T., Wong, M.M., Baron, A. and Finnerty, R., 2021. Biomarkers of stress in music interventions: a systematic review. Journal of Music Therapy, 58(3), pp.241-277. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/thab003

20. Motahari-Nezhad, H., Fgaier, M., Mahdi Abid, M., Péntek, M., Gulácsi, L. and Zrubka, Z., 2022. Digital biomarker–based studies: scoping review of systematic reviews. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 10(10), p.e35722. https://doi.org/10.2196/35722

21. You, Y., Chen, Y., Fang, W., Li, X., Wang, R., Liu, J. and Ma, X., 2023. The association between sedentary behavior, exercise, and sleep disturbance: a mediation analysis of inflammatory biomarkers. Frontiers in immunology, 13, p.1080782. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.1080782

22. Chang, J.S. and Namkung, J., 2021. Effects of exercise intervention on mitochondrial stress biomarkers in metabolic syndrome patients: a randomized controlled trial. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(5), p.2242. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052242

23. Lee, L.J., Shamburek, R., Son, H., Wallen, G.R., Cox, R., Flynn, S., Yang, L., Bevans, M., Wehrlen, L. and Ross, A., 2022. Effects of a yoga-based stress reduction intervention on stress, psychological outcomes and cardiometabolic biomarkers in cancer caregivers: A randomized controlled trial. Plos one, 17(11), p.e0277009. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277009

24. Cohen, Z.P., Cosgrove, K.T., Akeman, E., Coffey, S., Teague, K., Hays-Grudo, J., Paulus, M.P., Aupperle, R.L. and Kirlic, N., 2021. The effect of a mindfulness-based stress intervention on neurobiological and symptom measures in adolescents with early life stress: a randomized feasibility study. BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 21, pp.1-14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-021-03295-1

25. Bendtsen, M., Müssener, U., Linderoth, C. and Thomas, K., 2020. A mobile health intervention for mental health promotion among university students: randomized controlled trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 8(3), p.e17208. https://doi.org/10.2196/17208

Published
2024-11-07
How to Cite
He, Z., Xu, S., & Zhang, Z. (2024). Research on physical health assessment and intervention strategies for college students based on biomarkers. Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, 21(2), 402. https://doi.org/10.62617/mcb402
Section
Article