# 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

PMID: 41465480
Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Published: 2025-12-15
Authors: 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.

## Population

- Young adults with overweight or obesity
- Sample size: 72
- Age: 20.65 +/- 1.91 years
- Sex: 58 female and 14 male
- Fitness level: Mostly active young adults, not athlete-selected
- Health status: BMI mean 28.19 +/- 4.67 kg/m2, range 23.10-44.90

## Methodology

- Non-blinded randomized controlled trial
- 12 weeks
- Home-based HIIT with remote compliance monitoring
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Progressive home Tabata HIIT.
- Modality: 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.
- Sets or repetitions: 2 cycles weeks 1-4, 3 cycles weeks 5-8, 4 cycles weeks 9-12.
- Intensity: 80-90% maximal perceived exertion.
- Session duration: 16-32 minutes depending on progression.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 12 weeks.
- Progression: Increase Tabata cycles every 4 weeks.
- Control or asparagus root extract.
- Modality: Usual physical activity/diet, with or without supplement.
- Frequency: Daily supplement in ARE and COM groups.
- Program length: 12 weeks.

## Outcomes

### Glucose
Status: improved
HIIT and combined HIIT plus supplement lowered blood glucose.

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

### Lipids
Status: improved
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.

### Body composition
Status: no clear change
BMI, fat-free mass, fat mass, body fat, physical activity, and energy intake did not change.

Reported as no significant change.

## Practical 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 And Adherence

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

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41465480/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262412054) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12733034/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

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