# 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

PMID: 40566452
Journal: Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
Published: 2025 Jun 01
Authors: 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.

## Population

- Seventy-two young adults with overweight or obesity, mostly female, randomized to control, HIIT, asparagus extract, or combined HIIT+extract.
- Sample size: 72
- Age: Eligible age 18-30 years.
- Sex: 58 female (80.6%) and 14 male.
- Health status: Overweight or obese by Asian BMI cutoffs; major medical disorders excluded.

## Methodology

- Four-arm randomized controlled trial comparing control, HIIT, asparagus extract, and HIIT plus asparagus extract.
- 12 weeks with pre- and post-intervention testing.
- Chonburi Province, Thailand; home-based exercise supervised remotely with testing at Burapha University.
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- HIIT+AOE.
- Modality: 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.
- Sets or repetitions: 2 cycles weeks 1-4, 3 cycles weeks 5-8, 4 cycles weeks 9-12.
- Intensity: Exercise 75-85% maximum perceived exertion; active rest 40-50%.
- Session duration: 16-32 min of cycles depending on week block.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 12 weeks.
- Progression: Cycle count increased every 4 weeks; supplement dose 20E 1.71 +/- 0.24 mg/kg/day.
- CON, HIIT, and AOE.
- Modality: Usual activity/diet, HIIT alone, or asparagus extract alone.
- Work intervals: HIIT-alone used the same 20 s bodyweight work bouts.
- Recovery: HIIT-alone used the same 10 s rests and 4 min active rests.
- Sets or repetitions: HIIT-alone used the same 2-to-4 cycle progression.
- Intensity: HIIT-alone used the same RPE targets; AOE used 20E 1.71 +/- 0.24 mg/kg/day.
- Session duration: Same HIIT duration for HIIT-alone; none for CON/AOE.
- Frequency: HIIT-alone 3 sessions/week; supplement daily.
- Program length: 12 weeks.
- Progression: Same HIIT cycle progression in HIIT-alone group.

## Outcomes

### HR variability
Status: improved
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.

### Endothelial function
Status: mixed
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.

### Blood pressure
Status: mixed
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.

### Pulmonary and respiratory measures
Status: improved
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.

### Body composition
Status: mixed
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.

## Practical 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 And Adherence

- 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.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40566452/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10020202) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12194011/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

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