Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a tissue which dissipates energy as heat and helps burning calories. Studies have linked a metabolically active BAT to a lower prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases like Type 2 Diabetes. However, BAT becomes dysfunctional in obesity, emphasizing the urgent need for strategies to "reactivate" this tissue. While behavioural interventions (e.g., diet, cold exposure) and pharmacological approaches have aimed to enhance BAT activity, they have been largely ineffective, prone to off-target effects, or too unpleasant for sustained use. Regular exercise has been proposed as a promising alternative, potentially activating BAT through various mechanisms. However, the lack of comprehensive studies on this topic limits our understanding and ability to draw conclusions. This project seeks to fill this gap by thoroughly investigating the effects of exercise on BAT metabolic function and remodelling, particularly in obesity, addressing a long-standing debate.

2025

2029