SUSTAINA Study: Effects of Sustainable Diet and Therapeutic Exercise on Health in Young Athletes (SUSTAINA)

Research and Development of New Sustainable Dietary and Nutritional Programs and Therapeutic Exercise for the Prevention of Metabolic and Musculoskeletal Disorders

The SUSTAINA study aims to evaluate the effects of sustainable dietary programs combined with individualized therapeutic exercise on metabolic health, body composition, and musculoskeletal function in young athletes. Participants will be randomly assigned to different intervention groups receiving tailored exercise training and nutritional guidance based on Mediterranean diet principles. The study will assess physiological, anthropometric, and functional outcomes to identify effective strategies for preventing metabolic and musculoskeletal disorders.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Body Composition; Physical Fitness; Metabolic Health; Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Behavioral: Nutritional Intervention; Other: Conventional Strength Training; Other: Explosive Strength Training; Other: Functional Training; Other: Isoinertial Training

Detailed Description

This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to investigate the impact of combined dietary and exercise interventions on health outcomes in young athletes. Participants will be allocated into different groups, including a control group and intervention groups receiving structured therapeutic exercise programs and personalized nutritional strategies based on sustainable Mediterranean diet principles.

Measurements will include body composition, metabolic parameters, physical performance, and musculoskeletal function. The intervention is expected to provide evidence-based strategies to prevent metabolic and musculoskeletal disorders in physically active populations.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 70
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Spain
  • Alicante
    • Elche, Alicante, Spain, 03202
      • European Institute Of Exercise and Health

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 14 and 25 years
• Regular participation in organized physical activity (≥4 days per week)
• Healthy individuals without diagnosed metabolic or musculoskeletal disorders
• Ability to participate in physical exercise programs
• Written informed consent provided by the participant or legal guardian (for minors)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of diagnosed metabolic disease (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease)
• Musculoskeletal injury or condition that prevents participation in exercise
• Any medical condition contraindicating physical activity
• Use of medication or treatment that may affect metabolic or physical performance outcomes
• Failure to comply with study procedures or intervention protocols

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

5

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Arm 1: Control Group; Nutritional intervention only (no structured exercise). Participants receive a personalized dietary intervention based on Mediterranean diet principles, without participation in a structured exercise program.	Behavioral: Behavioral: Nutritional Intervention; Personalized dietary program based on sustainable Mediterranean diet principles, adapted to individual energy and nutritional requirements.
Experimental: Arm 2: Traditional resistance training (hypertrophy) + nutritional intervention; Participants perform a hypertrophy-focused resistance training program combined with a personalized dietary intervention.	Behavioral: Behavioral: Nutritional Intervention; Personalized dietary program based on sustainable Mediterranean diet principles, adapted to individual energy and nutritional requirements.; Other: Conventional Strength Training; Traditional resistance training program including hypertrophy and strength-based exercises using guided machines and free weights.
Experimental: Arm 3: Explosive strength training + nutritional intervention; Participants perform an explosive strength training program combined with a personalized dietary intervention.	Behavioral: Behavioral: Nutritional Intervention; Personalized dietary program based on sustainable Mediterranean diet principles, adapted to individual energy and nutritional requirements.; Other: Explosive Strength Training; High-intensity strength training focused on explosive movements using free weights.
Experimental: Arm 4: Functional training + nutritional intervention; Participants perform a functional training program using alternative materials combined with a personalized dietary intervention.	Behavioral: Behavioral: Nutritional Intervention; Personalized dietary program based on sustainable Mediterranean diet principles, adapted to individual energy and nutritional requirements.; Other: Functional Training; Exercise program based on functional movements using alternative training materials.
Experimental: Arm 5: Isoinertial training + nutritional intervention; Participants perform an isoinertial resistance training program combined with a personalized dietary intervention.	Behavioral: Behavioral: Nutritional Intervention; Personalized dietary program based on sustainable Mediterranean diet principles, adapted to individual energy and nutritional requirements.; Other: Isoinertial Training; Resistance training program using isoinertial devices with an emphasis on eccentric load.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in fat mass	Assessment of fat mass using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bioelectrical impedance analysis.	Baseline to 9 months
Change in lean body mass	Assessment of lean body mass using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bioelectrical impedance analysis.	Baseline to 9 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in blood glucose levels	Measurement of blood glucose levels using a portable biochemical analyzer.	Baseline to 9 months
Change in triglyceride levels	Assessment of triglyceride levels using a portable biochemical analyzer.	Baseline to 9 months
Change in bone mineral content	Assessment of bone mineral content using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).	Baseline to 9 months
Change in total cholesterol levels	Assessment of total cholesterol levels using a portable biochemical analyzer.	Baseline to 9 months
Change in handgrip strength	Assessment of upper body isometric strength using a handgrip dynamometer. Measured in kilograms (kg)	Baseline and 9 months
Change in lower body strength (countermovement jump height)	Assessment of lower body strength using countermovement jump (CMJ) height measured with a contact platform (cm).	Baseline and 9 months
Change in sprint performance	Assessment of sprint performance using 10-30 meter sprint tests measured with photocell timing systems. Measured in seconds (s)	Baseline and 9 months
Change in endurance capacity (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1)	Assessment of endurance capacity using the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1, expressed as total distance covered (meters).	Baseline and 9 months
Change in functional movement (Functional Movement Screen score)	Assessment of functional movement using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), scored from 0 to 21 points, where higher scores indicate better movement quality and lower injury risk.	Baseline and 9 months
Change in joint range of motion	Assessment of joint range of motion using goniometric measurements.	Baseline and 9 months
Change in urine specific gravity	Assessment of hydration status using urine specific gravity measured by refractometry.	Baseline and 9 months
Change in hydration status (urine color scale)	Assessment of hydration status using a validated urine color scale ranging from 1 to 8, where lower values indicate better hydration status and higher values indicate dehydration.	Baseline and 9 months
Change in blood pressure	Measurement of systolic and diastolic blood pressure using a digital sphygmomanometer.	Baseline and 9 months
Change in basal metabolic rate	Assessment of basal metabolic rate using indirect calorimetry.	Baseline and 9 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Alicante

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 20, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 27, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 5, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 5, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 27, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Exercise; Nutrition; Prevention; Mediterranean Diet; Athletes
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavior; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Motor Activity
• Other Study ID Numbers: UA-2026-02-19_3

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No