The Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Crocin on Metabolic Indices, Oxidative Stress, and Blood Pressure in Overweight/Obese Women

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Sports Science, School of Literature and Humanities, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran.

2 Department of Exercise Physiology, Sport Sciences Research Institute, Tehran, Iran.

3 Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Science and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Excess body weight is associated with increased oxidative stress, altered lipid profiles, and elevated blood pressure levels. This study aimed to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise combined with crocin supplementation on various indicators of metabolic syndrome, oxidative stress, and blood pressure in overweight or obese women. Methods: Forty women, aged 30 to 40 years, with a BMI between 30 and 40 kg/m², were randomly assigned to one of four groups (n=10 per group): aerobic exercise, crocin supplementation, a combination of exercise and supplementation, and a placebo control group. Blood pressure measurements were taken in a fasted state 24 hours before the start of the intervention, followed by the collection of 5 mL blood samples from the brachial vein. Baseline assessments included metabolic syndrome markers and oxidative stress indicators. The exercise groups participated in an 8-week aerobic training program consisting of three 40-50 minute weekly sessions, performed at 65-80% of their maximum heart rate. The supplementation groups received 30 mg of crocin daily. Post-intervention measurements were taken 48 hours after the final exercise session. Statistical analyses were conducted using ANCOVA and ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc tests. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 26, and statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Significant differences were observed among the four groups for weight, body fat percentage, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), glucose, insulin, triglycerides (TG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p=0.0001), as well as for high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (p=0.003), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (p=0.023), and insulin resistance (IR) (p=0.049). Bonferroni's posthoc analysis revealed significant differences in weight, body fat percentage, BMI, WHR, glucose, insulin, MDA, GPX, and DBP between the control and all three intervention groups. Notable differences in SOD and SBP were observed not only between the control and intervention groups but also when comparing the exercise group with the exercise + supplementation group, as well as between the supplementation group and the exercise + supplementation group. Conclusion: Aerobic exercise and crocin supplementation significantly improved metabolic syndrome indices, oxidative stress markers, and blood pressure in overweight/obese women. The combined approach of exercise and supplementation yielded enhanced benefits.

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References

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Journal of Nutrition,Fasting and Health

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 09 April 2025

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History

  • Receive Date: 02 December 2024
  • Revise Date: 10 February 2025
  • Accept Date: 16 February 2025

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