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

Obesity is a significant public health issue associated with an elevated risk of chronic diseases. Discovering appropriate exercise interventions combined with beneficial herbal supplements has always been investigated. Hence, our study aimed to assess the impact of 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and spirulina supplementation on the apolipoproteins, insulin resistance, and body composition of men with obesity. Forty-four men with obesity (height: 168.42 ± 2.63 cm, body mass: 93.24 ± 2.23 kg; BMI: 32.89 ± 1.23 kg/m²; age: 25-40 years) were divided into four groups: control group (CG, n = 11), spirulina group (SG, n = 11), high-intensity interval training group (HIITG, n = 11), and SG + HIIT group (n = 11). The intervention involved the daily administration of either spirulina or a placebo and HIIT three times a week for the training groups. Anthropometric indices, HOMA-IR, insulin, and apolipoproteins (Apo-A, Apo-B, and Apo-J) were measured before and after the 12-week intervention. Post-intervention analysis indicated differences between the CG and the three interventional groups for percent body fat (%BF), insulin, HOMA-IR, and apolipoproteins levels (p < 0.05). Spirulina supplementation with HIIT increased Apo-A while causing decreases in Apo-B and Apo-J levels and improved body composition (weight, %fat), BMI, and HOMA-IR (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that the combined intervention of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and spirulina supplementation has a significant impact on mitigating obesity, managing weight, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.