The Effect of Eight Weeks Aerobic Interval-Resistance Training Combined with Chamomile Consumption on Body Composition and Glucose Homeostasis in Overweight and Obese Women: A Randomised Clinical Trial

Chamomile has beneficial effects on ameliorating obesity, similar to the effects of exercise training. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of eight weeks aerobic interval-resistance training combined with chamomile consumption on body Composition and glucose homeostasis in overweight and obese women. In this randomised clinical trial study conducted in Khomam city in 2018, 29 overweight and obese women (overweight=11 and obese=18) were randomly selected and divided into three groups including training (65 min aerobic interval-resistance training, three times per week; n=9), training- Chamomile (65min concurrent training, three times per week; 1.5 g Chamomile consumption, three times per day for eight weeks; n=10) and a control (no intervention; n=10) for 8 weeks. Body composition and glucose homeostasis variables were assessed at baseline and after the end of interventions. The results were analyzed using paired t-test and one-way analysis of variance. Training-chamomile intervention was associated with markedly decreased amount of body mass index and body fat percent (p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the concurrent training and control groups (p>0.05). In addition, there were no significant changes in fasting blood sugar, insulin or homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in any groups (p>0.05). No significant difference in body composition and glucose homeostasis between the groups was detected at 8-weeks of intervention (p>0.05). Considering the results, Chamomile consumption combined with aerobic-resistance training can probably be effective in improving body mass index and body fat percent in overweight and obese women.