The effect of high intensity interval training (HIIT), and ursolic acid ‎supplementation on biomarkers of oxidative stress and body composition ‎index in obese adolescent student boys

Background and Objectives:  The use of supplements and food of natural origin along with exercises in order to achieve health benefits and weight loss has become very popular. In the meantime, high intensity interval training (HIIT) has been considered as an efficient and new training method and ursolic acid as a natural substance. Therefore, the present study determined the effect of six high-intensity intermittent exercises and ursolic acid supplementation on oxidative stress and percentage of the week in obese teenage boys.
Methods: In this semi-experimental study, healthy obese adolescent boys (age range: 13-18 years) of Mobarakeh city, Isfahan based on body mass index (above 25 kg/m2) and fat percentage (more than 25%) numbered 36. The selected people and after equalization based on aerobic fitness (VO2max) were placed in four groups of intense intermittent exercise, ursolic acid supplementation, combined (exercise + ursolic acid) and control. First, the subjects participated in the preparation program for two weeks (four sessions per week) including 30 to 45 minutes of continuous and periodic aerobic exercise with an intensity of 60-70% of the reserve heart rate. Then the training continued for six weeks in the HIIT method with an intensity of 70-90% of the reserve heart rate. Oxidative markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and body fat percentage were measured before and after six weeks of exercise and supplementation. The results of the Shapiro-Wilk test showed the normal distribution of all variables (P<0.05). Analysis of covariance was used to examine the differences between groups, and Bonferroni's post hoc test was used to examine the differences in individual groups. The results were analyzed using SPSS software version 22 and at a significance level of P<0.05.
Findings: In general, the reduction of MDA and the increase of serum TAC in the exercise and combination and supplement groups were significant compared to the control group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, intense interval training in combination with ursolic acid supplementation is a suitable method to increase TAC, decrease MDA and body fat percentage of obese adolescent boys. Therefore, it seems that HIIT exercises with ursolic acid supplement can be effective in strengthening antioxidant defense and reducing oxidative stress and fat percentage in obese adolescent boys.