PMID 40123054

Research
All papers

Impact of a 12-week High-Intensity Interval Training With Spirulina Supplementation on Insulin Resistance-Mediated by Apo-A, -B, and -J in Men With Obesity HIIT With Spirulina on Apolipoproteins

Tayebi SM, Bagherian P, Bassami M, Basereh A, Ahmadabadi S

Question

Do 12 weeks of HIIT, spirulina, or their combination affect insulin resistance and apolipoproteins in men with obesity?

Summary

This randomized study in men with obesity tested HIIT, spirulina, their combination, and control. The combined HIIT plus spirulina condition improved body composition, insulin resistance markers, and apolipoprotein profile, but adherence and adverse events were not clearly reported.

Methodology

  • Men with obesity
  • 44 participants.
  • Treadmill running.
  • Work intervals: 4 minutes from weeks 3-12.
  • Recovery: 4 minutes from weeks 3-12.
  • Intensity: Progressed from 65% to 95% VO2peak.
  • About 42 minutes from week 3 onward.
  • 3 sessions/week.
  • 12 weeks.
  • Four-arm randomized controlled trial
  • Insulin resistance, Apolipoproteins, and Body composition were tracked.

Outcomes

Apolipoproteins

Apo-A increased and Apo-B/Apo-J decreased in intervention groups versus control.

Reported p<0.05.

Improved

HOMA-IR

HIIT plus spirulina improved insulin and HOMA-IR.

Reported p<0.05 versus control.

Improved

Body composition

HIIT plus spirulina improved weight, BMI, and body fat percentage.

Reported p<0.05.

Improved

Adherence/safety

Adherence and adverse events were not clearly reported.

Unclear

Insights

  • Metabolic improvements cannot be attributed to HIIT alone when spirulina is combined.
  • Higher-risk obesity interventions need explicit adverse-event and adherence reporting.

Limitations

  • All-male sample.
  • Supplement co-intervention.
  • Adherence and adverse events unclear.
  • Extracurricular activity not monitored.
  • Motivation/adherence not regulated.

Safety

  • Adverse events were not reported.
  • Participants with specific illnesses such as cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes were excluded.
  • VO2peak testing was supervised by sports medicine/physiology staff with ECG, symptom, RPE, and blood-pressure stop criteria.
  • Exercise attendance/dropouts were not reported, beyond exclusion for missing more than three practice sessions.