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

PMID: 28255324
Journal: Journal of research in medical sciences : the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
Published: 2016
Authors: 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.

## Population

- Healthy overweight female students aged 20-30 years
- Sample size: 24
- Age: 20-30 years
- Sex: Female
- Fitness level: No regular physical activity in prior 6 months
- Health status: Overweight; excluded CVD, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and pregnancy

## Methodology

- Randomized placebo-controlled experimental study
- 10 weeks
- University exercise and laboratory setting
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- 40-meter shuttle-run HIIT.
- Modality: Running shuttle.
- Work intervals: 30 seconds.
- Sets or repetitions: Repeated 40-meter maximal shuttle runs; exact progression was image-only.
- Intensity: 90% maximum heart rate, monitored by Polar telemetry.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 10 weeks.
- Progression: Table image not text-extractable.
- Ginger-only or placebo supplement comparison.
- Modality: No exercise for ginger-only group.
- Program length: 10 weeks.
- Progression: No exercise progression.

## Outcomes

### VO2max
Status: improved
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.

### MCP-1
Status: improved
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.

### ICAM-1
Status: no clear change
ICAM-1 did not show a significant between-group change.

Between-group p=0.07.

### IL-10
Status: no clear change
IL-10 did not show a significant between-group change.

Between-group p=0.14.

### Ginger add-on
Status: no clear change
Adding ginger did not clearly improve HIIT effects.

Authors conclude HIIT was effective without needing ginger combination.

## Practical 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 And Adherence

- 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.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28255324/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.4103/1735-1995.193507) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5331772/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.