THE EFFECTS OF EIGHT WEEKS RESISTANCE TRAINING AND GREEN TEA SUPPLEMENTATION ON CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN OVERWEIGHT MEN

Background and aims: On the effect of resistance training combined with green tea supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors, few studies have been conducted. The aim of present study was to examine the effect of eight weeks of resistance training and green tea supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in overweight men. Methods: In this clinical quasi-experimental study, 30 men with BMI of 25-30 kg/m2 were randomly assigned to three groups of 10. Each of them was: 1. resistance training and green tea supplementation (supplementation), 2. Resistance training (training) and 3. Control. Resistance training comprised three sessions with 60-80% severity per week one maximum repetition for eight weeks. Green tea supplement was consumed at 6 gr per day in three equal portions. Venous blood samples were used to analyze the lipid profile and fibrinogen in the pre-test and post-test stages. Results: Findings: The levels of cholesterol (P=0.034) and fibrinogen (P=0.01) changed significantly in supplementation group compared to pre-test. The levels of low density lipoprotein, triglyceride, body’s lipid in two supplementation and training groups increased (P 0.05). Also, no significant difference in waist-to-hip ratio and BMI was seen among the groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Eight weeks of resistance training caused desirable variations in some of cardiovascular risk factors which could cause prevention of cardiovascular diseases in the individuals with overweight. But combination of green tea supplementation and resistance training had a higher efficacy than resistance training alone.