Document Type : Research Paper I Open Access I Released under (CC BY-NC) license

Authors

• Armin Farahnak ¹
• Javad Mehrabani ²
• Hamid Arazi ³

¹ PhD in Exercise Physiology, Department of Exercise Physiology, University Campus2, University of Guilan, Rasht-Iran.

² Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology, Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht-Iran

³ Professor of Exercise Physiology, Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht-Iran. Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: The effect of exercise training on the energy requirements of muscle tissues is achieved through an adaptive increase in capillary density, resulting in greater blood supply. When combined with the consumption of specific supplements, this can improve cellular function. Combining supplements with concurrent training represents a novel and significant approach. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effects of resistance-aerobic training and mixed supplementation (L-arginine, caffeine, and L-carnitine) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1a (HIF-1a) in inactive obese men.
Methodology: Twenty-eight inactive obese men from Rasht city (mean age: 37.02±3.89 years, height: 1.74±0.66 m, and BMI: 34.04±1.24 kg/m²) were randomly divided into three groups: resistance-aerobic training with combined supplementation (n = 10), resistance-aerobic training with placebo (n = 9), and combined supplementation without training (n = 9). Aerobic training (30 minutes at 55-75% maximum heart rate) and resistance training (30 minutes at 50-70% of one repetition maximum) were performed, along with a mixed supplement containing 1000 mg of L-arginine, 200 mg of caffeine, and 1000 mg of L-carnitine. This regimen continued for 10 weeks (3 sessions per week). Blood samples were collected before and after the training intervention.
Results: The results of the MANCOVA test showed that resistance-aerobic exercises performed at moderate intensity, along with the mixed supplement, significantly increased blood levels of VEGF (p = 0.001) and significantly decreased HIF-1a (p = 0.0001) in inactive obese men.
Conclusions: In summary, the results of this study indicated that moderate-intensity resistance-aerobic training, when combined with mixed supplementation (L-arginine, caffeine, and L-carnitine), enhanced angiogenic and hypoxic stimulation factors in inactive obese men.

Highlights

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Keywords

• angiogenesis
• aerobic training
• strength training
• arginine
• caffeine

Main Subjects

• Exercise Physiology