The effect of six weeks of High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and fenugreek supplementation on plasma CRP and cortisol in overweight and obese women

Most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by regular exercise and the use of herbal supplements. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of six weeks of High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and fenugreek supplementation on plasma levels of C-reactive protein and cortisol in overweight and obese women.

In this quasi-experimental study, 48 obese and overweight women with a mean age of 29.79± 7.8 years and a body mass index of 29.29 ± 2.6 kg/m2 were purposefully selected to participate in this study. And were randomly divided into 4 groups of 12: exercise+placebo, exercise+supplement, supplement and placebo. The supplement groups took one 500 mg fenugreek capsule daily. Exercise groups performed intense intermittent training at maximum speed for three sessions per week for 6 weeks. Blood samples were taken before and after the training period and supplementation to measure the research variables. Statistical analysis of data was performed by analysis of covariance and Scheffe post hoc tests at a significance level of P<0.05.

CRP in exercise+supplement group (p= 0.04) and cortisol in exercise (p=0.039), supplement (p=0.033) and exercise+supplement (p=0.006) groups decreased significantly compared with control group.

Findings show that High-intensity interval training and fenugreek supplementation alone and simultaneously have a positive effect on CRP and cortisol; by minimizing the upward trends in the production of inflammatory markers, the negative effects of inflammation are minimized. Reducing these indicators is an effective step in reducing diseases related to the immune system.