Synergistic effects of cinnamon supplementation and Tabata HIIT on metabolic health and performance outcomes in military cadets: Bridging traditional medicine and modern physiology

The integration of herbal supplementation with exercise training may offer a novel hybrid strategy that bridges traditional medicine and modern performance science to enhance recovery and physical outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the synergistic effects of cinnamon supplementation and Tabata-style high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on metabolic and performance outcomes in young male military cadets. Forty-eight healthy cadets were randomly assigned to four groups: Tabata training (T), cinnamon supplementation (S), Tabata + cinnamon (TS), and control (C). The intervention lasted six weeks, consisting of thrice-weekly Tabata sessions (87–100% HRmax) and daily oral cinnamon supplementation (1.5 g/day). Assessments conducted before and after the intervention included body composition, VO₂max, post-exercise blood lactate levels, and combat readiness scores based on the Army Combat Fitness Test. Statistical analysis employed paired t-tests and ANCOVA at a significance level of p < 0.05. Significant improvements were observed in the TS group compared to control: VO2max increased (p = 0.001), post-exercise lactate decreased (−1.93 mmol/L, p = 0.001), and combat readiness scores improved substantially (+63.6 points, p = 0.001). Comparable but less pronounced improvements were observed in the Tabata-only and cinnamon-only groups. No adverse effects were reported. The findings suggest that cinnamon—a time-honored medicinal spice—may potentiate the effects of high-intensity training by improving aerobic capacity, lactate clearance, and combat readiness. This study provides translational evidence supporting cinnamon as a safe, natural, and affordable traditional functional food that can enhance physical performance and metabolic resilience in tactical populations. The integration of traditional herbal supplementation with modern training paradigms offers a promising avenue in the evolving field of evidence-based traditional medicine.