The Effect of 8-Weeks of Aerobic Training and Green Tea Supplementation on Aerobic Capacity, Body Mass Index and Fat Percentage in Obese and Overweight Officers Students

In addition to antioxidant compounds, green tea has anti-diabetic antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic and anti-obesity properties. So, this study aimed to investigate the effect of 8- weeks of aerobic training and green tea supplementation on aerobic capacity, body mass index and fat percentage in obese and overweight officers students.

In this quasi-experimental study, which was conducted in 2018 at Imam Ali Officer University, 60 subjects with age range 18-22 years and BMI greater than 25 kg / m2 were selected by available convenience sampling method; They were divided randomly into 4 groups: aerobic training (n=13), green tea supplement (n=18), aerobic training + green tea supplement (n=16) and control groups (n=13). Aerobic training program included aerobic training 45-60 minutes at 60-80% maximum heart rate, three sessions per week which lasted for 8 weeks. Green tea supplement group while maintaining their diet 2 hours after each meal brewed 2 g dry green tea in 150cc Boiling water in three meals in the morning, noon and evening consumed. The aerobic capacity, body mass index and fat percentage of the participants in the two stages before and after the training protocol were also measured. A one-way statistical analysis of the variance test (ANOVA) was used to significantly compare the groups, and a Tukey follow-up test was used to significantly compare the pairs of groups.

Eight weeks of aerobic training significantly reduced body weight, body mass index and body fat percentage (P<0.05) and green tea supplementation significantly reduced body weight and body mass index (P<0.05). Also, the combination of aerobic training and green tea supplementation, in addition to weight loss, body mass index and body fat percentage, resulted in a significant increase in aerobic capacity (P<0.05).

Considering that the combination of aerobic training and green tea supplementation reduces the body mass index, fat percentage and increases aerobic capacity among officer students. It is therefore a valuable non-pharmacological strategy for realizing and improving research parameters.