# 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

PMID: 40123054
Journal: European Journal of Sport Science
Published: 2025 Apr
Authors: 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.

## Population

- Men with obesity
- Sample size: 44
- Age: 25-40 years
- Sex: Men
- Fitness level: Not physically active
- Health status: Obesity without reported CVD or type 2 diabetes

## Methodology

- Four-arm randomized controlled trial
- 12 weeks
- Supervised treadmill exercise and supplement intervention
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Progressive treadmill HIIT.
- Modality: Treadmill running.
- Work intervals: 4 minutes from weeks 3-12.
- Recovery: 4 minutes from weeks 3-12.
- Sets or repetitions: 32-minute main exercise.
- Intensity: Progressed from 65% to 95% VO2peak.
- Session duration: About 42 minutes from week 3 onward.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 12 weeks.
- Progression: Intensity and recovery intensity increased over time.
- Control or spirulina-only.
- Modality: Usual activity with placebo or spirulina.
- Frequency: Daily supplement where assigned.
- Program length: 12 weeks.

## Outcomes

### Apolipoproteins
Status: improved
Apo-A increased and Apo-B/Apo-J decreased in intervention groups versus control.

Reported p<0.05.

### HOMA-IR
Status: improved
HIIT plus spirulina improved insulin and HOMA-IR.

Reported p<0.05 versus control.

### Body composition
Status: improved
HIIT plus spirulina improved weight, BMI, and body fat percentage.

Reported p<0.05.

### Adherence/safety
Status: unclear
Adherence and adverse events were not clearly reported.

## Practical 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 And Adherence

- 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.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40123054/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsc.12285) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11930759/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

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