The intervention activities consisted of two weekly MCT sessions and one session divided into nutritional and psychological education. The MCT intervention sessions lasted approximately 60 minutes and were conducted on the university premises. The exercises were designed to improve flexibility, strength, mobility, motor coordination, balance, and cardiorespiratory fitness. It should be noted that the MCT program was implemented alternately in indoor and outdoor settings, i.e., one day of the week was devoted to indoor training (gym setting), while another day was devoted to outdoor training (open space).

The MCT protocol consisted of an initial three-week period of neuromotor adaptation characterized by low volume and intensity. In the subsequent weeks, a gradual progression of volume and intensity was implemented (Table 1), following a classic linear periodization model (Fleck & Kraemer, 2017; Prestes et al., 2016).

The blood collection procedures followed the guidelines of the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute . The participants were previously instructed to prepare accordingly for the collections which were conducted at the Clinical Analysis Laboratory of the Institution's facilities. After the blood was drawn, they were advised to apply pressure to the puncture site to prevent bruising. The blood samples were distributed into the following tubes: Vacuplast® collection tubes, tubes containing the anticoagulant ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) K2, and tubes with fluoride/EDTA anticoagulant.

The standing height of the participants was measured via a stadiometer (Welmy R - 110®, Santa Bárbara D'Oeste, São Paulo, Brazil) attached to a scale with a maximum capacity of 2.2 meters and an accuracy of 0.1 cm.

Following earlier suggestions, the TUG test was conducted. The person must get out of an arm-supported chair, cross a three-meter aisle, turn around, and return to the chair. They must perform three trials and record the best one in seconds. A pair of evaluators measured the time using single-beam photocells (Brower Timing System, Draper, UT, USA), and the best of three trials was utilized for statistical analysis

Three repetitions were evaluated to retrieve the best performance executed on the 30-chair stand test. Its purpose was to evaluate the lower limbs' muscle strength, and it is executed while seated in a chair, with the arms resting across the chest, for 30 s.

In the arm-curl test, participants sat on a chair and were asked to flex the elbow of their stronger arm as many times as possible in 30 seconds while holding a 1-kg dumbbell. Participants were instructed to maintain a normal breathing pattern and keep their elbow at their side during the entire test. A single repetition consisted of full elbow flexion from maximal extension