PMID 28255324

Research
All papers

The effect of a 10-week high-intensity interval training and ginger consumption on inflammatory indices contributing to atherosclerosis in overweight women

Nayebifar S, Afzalpour ME, Kazemi T, Eivary SH, Mogharnasi M

Question

Does 10 weeks of shuttle-run HIIT, alone or with ginger supplementation, improve inflammatory markers related to atherosclerosis and VO2max in overweight women?

Summary

In overweight young women, 10 weeks of shuttle-run HIIT with or without ginger improved VO2max and lowered MCP-1 within the training groups. Between-group differences for the inflammatory markers were not significant, and the paper did not report a clear exercise-only placebo-free control group, so app claims should stay cautious.

Methodology

  • Healthy overweight female students aged 20-30 years
  • 24 participants.
  • Running shuttle.
  • Work intervals: 30 seconds.
  • Intensity: 90% maximum heart rate, monitored by Polar telemetry.
  • 3 sessions/week.
  • 10 weeks.
  • Randomized placebo-controlled experimental study
  • MCP-1, ICAM-1, IL-10, and VO2max were tracked.

Outcomes

VO2max

Both training groups improved VO2max compared with ginger-only.

Between-group VO2max change p<0.001; post hoc training groups versus ginger p<0.000.

Improved

MCP-1

MCP-1 decreased within both training groups, but between-group change was not significant.

Within exercise+ginger p=0.025; exercise+placebo p=0.012; between-group p=0.178.

Improved

ICAM-1

ICAM-1 did not show a significant between-group change.

Between-group p=0.07.

No clear change

IL-10

IL-10 did not show a significant between-group change.

Between-group p=0.14.

No clear change

Ginger add-on

Adding ginger did not clearly improve HIIT effects.

Authors conclude HIIT was effective without needing ginger combination.

No clear change

Insights

  • Fitness outcomes are more usable than inflammation outcomes from this paper.
  • Avoid supplement tie-ins in workout claims.
  • Impact-heavy shuttle intervals need lower-impact alternatives for broad users.

Limitations

  • No placebo-only non-exercise group.
  • Diet was not accurately controlled.
  • Exact exercise progression was not extractable from NXML text.
  • Adherence and adverse events were not clearly reported.
  • Small sample after exclusions.

Safety

  • Adverse events were not reported.
  • Participants with CVD, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, pregnancy, or recent regular physical activity were excluded.
  • The authors noted shuttle running may contribute to leg stress and inflammation.