The Effect of Aerobic Training and Ginger Extract on Lipid Profiles, Body Composition and Liver Enzymes in Obese Menopausal Women

Objective: The beneficial effects of exercise and ginger extract have been reported to improve obesity-related indicators. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aerobic training and ginger extract on lipid profiles, body composition and selected liver enzymes in obese menopausal women. Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental trial, ۴۸ obese menopause women (age; ۵۳-۵۸ yr) were randomly divided into ۴ groups including control, ginger extract, aerobic training and aerobic training -ginger extract. Aerobic training was performed ۳ sessions a week, ۶۰ minutes, with ۵۰-۷۰% maximum heart rate and for ۲۴ weeks. The subjects consumed ginger extract three times a day in ۵۰۰ mg capsule for ۲۴ weeks. For analyzing the data, two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test was used with SPSS–۲۳ and the significance level was P-value≤ ۰.۰۵. Results: The results showed that ۱۲ and ۲۴ weeks of training, ginger and ginger - training significantly decreased ALT and AST in obese menopausal women (P-value= ۰.۰۰۱). Also, ۱۲- and ۲۴-weeks’ ginger- training resulted to improve of body composition and lipid profile in obese menopausal women (P-value= ۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: According to the findings, regular aerobic training and ginger supplementation have a beneficial effect on body composition and improvement of some liver enzymes and lipid profiles in obese menopausal women. These changes were higher in the Ginger-training group after six months of intervention

Keywords:

Exercise , Ginger , Lipid profile , Liver enzymes , Obesity