PMID 40566452

Research
All papers

Effects of High-Intensity Intermittent Training Combined with Asparagus officinalis Extract Supplementation on Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Function Parameters in Obese and Overweight Individuals: A Randomized Control Trial

Padkao T, Prasertsri P

Question

Does home-based bodyweight HIIT combined with Asparagus officinalis extract supplementation improve cardiovascular and pulmonary function parameters in young adults with overweight or obesity?

Summary

In 72 young Thai adults with overweight or obesity, 12 weeks of remotely supervised home-based bodyweight HIIT with asparagus extract supplementation improved several autonomic, vascular, respiratory, and waist-to-hip outcomes compared with control. HIIT alone improved some blood pressure, endothelial recovery, respiratory pressure, and pulmonary flow measures, but many outcomes did not differ from control. No serious adverse events occurred; four exercise participants reported transient soreness and nausea during the fourth cycle.

Methodology

  • Seventy-two young adults with overweight or obesity, mostly female, randomized to control, HIIT, asparagus extract, or combined HIIT+extract.
  • 72 participants.
  • Home-based bodyweight HIIT plus asparagus extract capsules.
  • Work intervals: 20 s bodyweight activity.
  • Recovery: 10 s rest within cycles; 4 min active rest between cycles.
  • Intensity: Exercise 75-85% maximum perceived exertion; active rest 40-50%.
  • 16-32 min of cycles depending on week block.
  • 3 sessions/week.
  • 12 weeks.
  • Four-arm randomized controlled trial comparing control, HIIT, asparagus extract, and HIIT plus asparagus extract.
  • Heart rate variability, Endothelial function, Blood pressure, and Pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength were tracked.

Outcomes

HR variability

HIIT+AOE showed higher HF power and lower LF/HF ratio than control after 12 weeks.

HF power p=0.038, ES=0.51; LF/HF p=0.038, ES=0.45.

Improved

Endothelial function

HIIT and HIIT+AOE increased peak blood flow within group, but only HIIT had shorter recovery time versus control.

HIIT peak flow p=0.003; HIIT+AOE peak flow p=0.028; HIIT recovery time vs CON p=0.02.

Mixed

Blood pressure

HIIT reduced SBP, DBP, MAP, and RPP within group, but between-group differences versus control were not significant.

HIIT SBP p=0.03, DBP p=0.045, MAP p=0.030, RPP p=0.044 within group.

Mixed

Pulmonary and respiratory measures

HIIT+AOE improved FEV1/FVC and lower-chest expansion versus control; HIIT and HIIT+AOE improved MEP versus control.

FEV1/FVC p=0.047; lower chest expansion p=0.001; MEP vs CON HIIT p=0.029 and HIIT+AOE p=0.041.

Improved

Body composition

HIIT+AOE had lower waist-to-hip ratio than control, but no other body composition parameter significantly changed.

Waist-to-hip ratio vs CON p=0.043; other body composition outcomes not significant.

Mixed

Insights

  • A remotely supervised bodyweight HIIT progression can be feasible in screened young adults with overweight/obesity.
  • Adding cycles may trigger soreness or nausea; monitor late-session tolerance.
  • Claims should focus on selected HRV, respiratory, and vascular outcomes rather than general BP or weight loss.

Limitations

  • Non-blinded trial.
  • Very short-term BP variability measurement.
  • Diet and activity not fully controlled.
  • No biochemical mechanism measures.
  • Mostly female young adult sample.
  • Combined supplement/exercise effects limit exercise-only inference.

Safety

  • No serious adverse events occurred.
  • Two HIIT and two HIIT+AOE participants experienced leg muscle soreness and nausea during the fourth cycle.
  • No asparagus extract adverse effects or complications were reported.