The characterization of metabolic changes in adipose tissues and muscles due to different exercise intensities by Dixon in healthy young men

[Display omitted] •This study combines the reliable and rapid Dixon sequence with new mathematical formulas to create a unique set of imaging markers, offering precise insights into the composition and activity levels of brown fat, white fat, and muscle tissue.•Examining normal adult males with varying exercise levels, the research uncovers intricate exercise-body composition relationships via imaging markers, establishing a scientific basis for personalized exercise programs.•Moreover, the study analyzes the correlation between imaging markers and body metrics, aiding the public in selecting suitable monitoring indicators for exercise evaluations.•Additionally,it provides clinicians with novel tools to accurately assess exercise outcomes, marking a significant advance in Dixon sequence’s clinical use and opening new avenues for sports medicine research and personalized health management. To delineate the alterations in adipose and muscle tissue composition and functionality among healthy young men across varying exercise intensities, which help to elucidate the impact of exercise intensity on weight management and inform fitness planning. 3D Dixon MRI scans were performed on the neck and supraclavicular area in 10 high-intensity exercises (HIE) athletes, 20 moderate intensity exercises (MIE) athletes and 19 low-intensity exercises non-athlete male controls (NCM). Twelve imaging parameters, including the total volume of muscle, white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT), and the mean fat–water fraction (FWF) within these tissues. Additionally, ratios of BAT or WAT to total fat (BATr or WATr) and the proportions of muscle, BAT, or WAT to total tissue volume (Musp, BATp, and WATp) were calculated. Parameters were compared across groups and correlated with Body Mass Index (BMI), waistline, and hipline. The HIE group exhibited the highest total muscle (totalMUS) and brown adipose tissue (totalBAT) volumes among the three groups. Conversely, the NCM group had significantly higher fwfFAT and fwfBAT values. The MUSp was higher in the HIE and MIE groups compared to NCM, while the BATp and WATp were lower. Furthermore, the BATr in HIE and MIE groups were higher than NCM group while the WATr were lower. Significant linear relationships were observed between totalBAT, totalWAT, MUSp, BATr, fwfFAT, and BMI, waistline (P