The effect of 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) Tribulus terrestris supplementation on serum BDNF and FGF21 in obese women

Obesity and overweighting are multifactorial phenomena with genetic and environmental roots. Physiological and metabolic changes from adipose tissue in obese people have led to some chronic diseases. Proper exercise and medicinal herbs may be effective in improving health. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and Tribulus terrestris supplementation on BDNF and FGF21 in obese women.

In a quasi-experimental study, 40 obese women (BMI more than 30 kg/m²) living in Bushehr were randomly selected and randomly divided into four groups of 10, including HIIT + placebo (E), Tribulus terrestrial supplement (T), HIIT + Supplement (ET) and Control (C). The training program was performed for 8 weeks and three sessions per week. The exercises included 7 repetitions of 20 seconds with a rest of 60 to 120 seconds. Tribulus terrestrial supplement was used in the form of 500 mg capsules in two meals in the morning and evening (a total of one gram per day). Correlated t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to test the research hypotheses.

According to the findings in groups E (p<0.005) and E-T (p<0.0001), the difference between the mean BDNF between pre-test and post-test in the two groups was significant. In group T (p = 0.08) and group C, the mean BDNF did not change significantly. Moreover, in the groups E (p<0.007), T (p<0.003) and E-T (p<0.0001), the mean difference of FGF21 between pre-test and post-test in all three groups was significant. In comparison between groups, the effect of E-T group on FGF21 was significantly greater than the other two experimental groups.

8 weeks of intense intermittent exercise with Tribulus terrestris supplementation By affecting BDNF and FGF21, it improves obesity and promotes health in obese people.