Beyond weight loss: effects of TRX suspension training combined with caloric restriction on thyroid function and mental well-being in obese hypothyroid women

Abstract Background The rate of metabolism decreases in hypothyroid patients; hypothyroidism is associated with body mass increases; due to this and other factors, depression, anxiety, and stress increase, which, alongside the disease state and psychological problems, causes the quality of life to suffer. Objectives The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of caloric restriction along with TRX exercise on body mass, thyroid hormones, and psychological measures in obese and overweight women with hypothyroidism. Methods 34 women aged 18–50 with hypothyroidism and a body mass index above 25 participated in this study. They were divided into three groups: a calorie-restricted diet (12 people), a TRX exercise along with a calorie-restriction diet (11 people), and a control group (11 people). TRX exercises were performed for 8 weeks and three sessions per week according to the ACSM guidelines regarding exercise training for hypothyroid people. The calorie-restriction groups reduced 700 kilocalories per day (4900 kilocalories per week) from the subjects’ daily calorie requirement. The variables of thyroid hormones, body mass, depression, anxiety, stress, quality of life, and aerobic capacity were calculated, respectively, through blood sampling, digital scales, questionnaires, and Cooper’s test. ANCOVA tests were used for data analysis at a significance level of α ≥ 0.05. Results The research results demonstrated that a calorie-restricted diet and TRX training led to a decrease in thyroid stimulating hormone, body mass, depression, and an increase in aerobic capacity ( p < 0.05). A diet with calorie restriction alone led to weight loss and depression. Research interventions did not affect anxiety, stress, and quality-of-life variables. Conclusions TRX exercises with calorie restriction had greater effects on thyroid hormones, aerobic capacity, and depression compared to calorie restriction alone. Practitioners should consider adding resistance exercises alongside caloric manipulations to reduce body mass while increasing physical capacities.