PMID 41465480

Research
All papers

Synergistic Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training and Asparagus officinalis L. Root Extract Supplementation on Metabolic Regulation, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Overweight and Obese Adults

Prasertsri P, Padkao T, Boonla O, Buddhisa S, Prakobkaew N, Sripinyowanich S, Phoemsapthawee J

Question

Do HIIT, asparagus root extract, or their combination improve metabolic, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers in overweight or obese young adults?

Summary

Young adults with overweight or obesity completed 12 weeks of usual routine, asparagus root extract, home HIIT, or combined HIIT plus extract. HIIT-containing groups improved several glucose and lipid markers without body-composition change, while supplement-only effects were mixed. The exercise protocol was a progressive home Tabata-style bodyweight routine.

Methodology

  • Young adults with overweight or obesity
  • 72 participants.
  • Squat jumps with toe touches, alternating reverse lunges, mountain climbers, burpees with toe touches.
  • Work intervals: 20 seconds.
  • Recovery: 10 seconds within cycle; 4 minutes active recovery between cycles.
  • Intensity: 80-90% maximal perceived exertion.
  • 16-32 minutes depending on progression.
  • 3 sessions/week.
  • 12 weeks.
  • Non-blinded randomized controlled trial
  • Glucose regulation, Lipids, Inflammation and oxidative stress, and Body composition were tracked.

Outcomes

Glucose

HIIT and combined HIIT plus supplement lowered blood glucose.

HIIT -4.39 mg/dL, p=.016; COM -2.78 mg/dL, p=.031.

Improved

Lipids

HIIT-containing groups improved total cholesterol, TC/HDLC ratio, and HDLC, while ARE alone had mixed lipid effects.

HIIT TC -13.89 mg/dL and HDLC +4.56 mg/dL; COM TC -7.83 mg/dL and HDLC +1.95 mg/dL.

Improved

Body composition

BMI, fat-free mass, fat mass, body fat, physical activity, and energy intake did not change.

Reported as no significant change.

No clear change

Insights

  • A four-move Tabata circuit with 4-week cycle progression is directly useful for app workout generation.
  • Use low-impact swaps for squat jumps and burpees in overweight users.
  • Avoid supplement claims in frontend copy unless explicitly separated from exercise evidence.

Limitations

  • Non-blinded design.
  • Young mostly active overweight/obese sample.
  • Supplement cointervention complicates interpretation.
  • No follow-up.
  • Biomarker outcomes may not translate to user-perceived benefits.

Safety

  • No serious adverse event was identified in the the paper.
  • ALT and AST did not change in supplement groups, which authors interpreted as no adverse liver effect.