Body Composition, Microbiome and Physical Activity in Workers Under Intermittent Hypobaric Hypoxia

Background/Objectives: Intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (IHH) induces various physiological and metabolic adaptations. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a seven-day IHH exposure on nutritional status, body composition, gut microbiota, movement intensity, and energy expenditure in 10 workers. Methods: A pre-post comparative design was employed, with measurements taken at the beginning and end of the exposure period. Nutritional status, body composition, and phase angle (PhA) were assessed via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Gut microbiota composition was analyzed through fecal DNA extraction and qPCR for specific bacterial families. Movement intensity and energy expenditure were monitored using accelerometry. An initial statistical analysis was performed, which included paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Results: A significant increase in PhA (mean difference: 0.40; p = 0.0053 for t-test, p = 0.0136 for Wilcoxon) and a significant decrease in BMI (mean difference: -0.38; p = 0.0311 for t-test, p = 0.0546 for Wilcoxon). Conclusions: While the original paper reported no significant changes in nutritional status or body composition, our re-analysis suggests a significant change in BMI. The original paper also reported significant changes in specific gut bacterial families (butyrate-producing bacteria, p = 0.037; Lactobacillus species, p = 0.006). Physical activity levels remained consistently low.