Enhancing cardiometabolic health: unveiling the synergistic effects of high-intensity interval training with spirulina supplementation on selected adipokines, insulin resistance, and anthropometric indices in obese males

Abstract

This study investigated the combined effects of 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and spirulina supplementation on adipokine levels, insulin resistance, anthropometric indices, and cardiorespiratory fitness in 44 obese males (aged 25-40 years). The participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: control (CG), supplement (SG), training (TG), or training plus supplement (TSG). The intervention involved daily administration of either spirulina or a placebo and HIIT three times a week for the training groups. Anthropometric indices, HOMA-IR, VO_2peak, and circulating adipokines (asprosin and lipocalin2, omentin-1, irisin, and spexin) were measured before and after the 12-week intervention. Post-intervention analysis indicated differences between the CG and the three interventional groups for body weight, fat-free mass (FFM), percent body fat (%BF), HOMA-IR, and adipokine levels (p < 0.05). TG and SG participants had increased VO_2peak (p < 0.05). Spirulina supplementation with HIIT increased VO_2peak, omentin-1, irisin, and spexin, while causing decreases in lipocalin-2 and asprosin levels and improvements in body composition (weight, %fat), BMI, and HOMA-IR. Notably, the combination of spirulina and HIIT produced more significant changes in circulating adipokines and cardiometabolic health in obese males compared to either supplementation or HIIT alone (p < 0.05). These findings highlight the synergistic benefits of combining spirulina supplementation with HIIT, showcasing their potential in improving various health parameters and addressing obesity-related concerns in a comprehensive manner.

Keywords: Adipokines; High-intensity interval training; Obesity; Spirulina.

Fig. 1

Pre- and post-training values (mean ± SD) for asprosin in control (CG), supplement (SG), training (TG), training + supplement (TSG) groups &: different from pretest values (p < 0.05) *: different from control group (p < 0.05) #: interaction between time and groups (p < 0.05) Correct “&” in TSG bar graphs

Fig. 2

Pre- and post-training values (mean ± SD) for spexin in control (CG), supplement (SG), training (TG), training + supplement (TSG) groups &: different from pretest values (p < 0.05) *: different from control group (p < 0.05) #: interaction between time and groups (p < 0.05)

Fig. 3

Pre- and post-training values (mean ± SD) for lipocalin-2 in control (CG), supplement (SG), training (TG), training + supplement (TSG) groups &: different from pretest values (p < 0.05) *: different from control group (p < 0.05) #: interaction between time and groups (p < 0.05) Correct “&” in TSG bar graphs

Fig. 4

Pre- and post-training values (mean ± SD) for omentin in control (CG), supplement (SG), training (TG), training + supplement (TSG) groups &: different from pretest values (p < 0.05) *: different from control group (p < 0.05) #: interaction between time and groups (p < 0.05)

Fig. 5

Pre- and post-training values (mean ± SD) for irisin in control (CG), supplement (SG), training (TG), training + supplement (TSG) groups &: different from pretest values (p < 0.05) *: different from control group (p < 0.05) #: interaction between time and groups (p < 0.05)