The combined effects of Tabata training and cinnamon supplementation on metabolic changes and body composition in soldiers with overweight or obesity

This study investigated the effect of the combining Tabata training and cinnamon supplementation on metabolic changes and body composition in overweight and obese soldiers. 40 overweight and obese soldiers were divided into Tabata (T), Tabata training+supplement (T+S), supplement (S) and control (C) groups. The intervention completed during eight weeks with three sessions per week. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included body composition (body mass index [BMI], body fat percentage [BFP], performance parameters) push-up, squat, plank and vertical jump), metabolic markers (fasting blood sugar [FBS], insulin and [HOMA], liver enzymes (Serum Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase [SGOT], Serum Glutamic-Pyruvic Transaminase [SGPT], and Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase [GGT] (and inflammatory markers (C-Reactive Protein [CRP], Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha [TNF-α], Adiponectin and Irisin). Cinnamon supplement was taken in 500 mg capsules three times a day. Body mass, BMI, and body fat percentage significantly decreased in all intervention groups (p < 0.001), with the greatest fat loss in T + S (-7.86%, p < 0.001), significantly more than T (p = 0.013). Performance (push-up, squat, plank, jump) improved in T and T + S (all p < 0.001), with no difference between them (p > 0.05). Fasting blood sugar, insulin, HOMA-IR, and liver enzymes (SGOT, SGPT, GGT) decreased across all interventions (p < 0.05), with the greatest reductions in T + S. Inflammatory markers (CRP, TNF-α) declined, while adiponectin and irisin increased in all interventions (p < 0.001), with superior changes in T + S versus all groups (p < 0.05). The control group showed no significant changes (p > 0.05). Tabata training resulted in synergistically effect on performance, body composition, metabolic-inflammation markers, and liver enzyme function in overweight and obese individuals. Moreover, the cinnamon supplementation as an ergogenic potentiated the observed beneficial effects.