INTRODUCTION

Scientific advances have led to machines performing many of the daily activities humans perform, and inactivity is associated with increased lipid levels and cardiovascular disease (Mardaniyan Ghahfarrokhi & Habibi, 2020). Obesity can be an independent risk factor for increased triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TChol), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), blood pressure, and decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C). Therefore, finding solutions to reduce LDL and TG and increase HDL can play a significant role in preventing cardiovascular diseases. The type of exercise discussed in this case is total-body resistance training (TRX). This training consists of a parachute rope and two handles that do not require any stretching. Regular and long-term exercise training with this tool will lead to improved performance, body weight regulation, and improved lipid profile (Mohammaddoost & Shabkhiz & Akbarnejad Ghrhlo, 2024). The use of supplements and herbal medicines with antioxidant properties, along with regular physical activity, is one of the strategies to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (Rivera-Mancía & Jiménez-Osorio, 2018). One of these types of extracts is the extract of the Eryngium billardieri plant. In traditional medicine, the root, fruit, and stem of the plant are typically used to make tea or an infusion. In general, the effect of physical activity on lipid profiles is not well understood, and the results are contradictory. For example, in a study, interval training was recognized as a safe care strategy for patients with cardiovascular disease (Wewege & Yu, 2018). Roohi et al. (2021) reported that eight weeks of combined home-based exercises significantly improved body composition indices in individuals (Rohi & Shad, 2022). On the other hand, there seems to be considerably limited research on the effect of Eryngium billardieri extract on lipid profiles and cardiovascular risk factors. There is a strong rationale for giving importance to physical activity in lifestyle improvement programs to prevent or treat obesity and overweight. What people in society, especially obese and overweight people, need to know is what physical activities to do and what diet to follow to get the most benefit and improve their health indicators.
METHODS
The present study followed the protocols of a quasi-experimental design. The statistical population was all obese and overweight women aged 25-35 years living in Zahedan, Iran. The research sample comprised 40 available women, randomly selected to form the experimental and control groups. The subjects were randomly assigned to four groups (10 people): 1. Exercise+placebo, 2. exercise+extract consumption, 3. extract consumption, 4. control. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by dividing weight (in kilograms) by height squared (in meters). For blood pressure measurement, subjects were asked to sit on a chair, and their blood pressure was measured at 9-10 am on the right arm, using a Japanese-made ALPK2 sphygmomanometer. After the training period, all anthropometric measurements were repeated under the same conditions as the previous period. Blood sampling was performed in two stages, including the beginning of the period and 48 hours after the last facial training session. In order to measure the concentrations of HDL, LDL, TG, and TChol, the enzymatic method, Pars Azmoun kits, and a biochemistry autoanalyzer were employed. The TRX training protocol consisted of an eight-week program, three days per week. During the training period, a gradual increase in training load was intended by reducing the angle between the body and the ground. The intensity was increased weekly for three weeks, and the training load was reduced in the fourth week. Then, a gradual increase in the load was performed from the fifth to the eighth week. The TRX training sessions included five upper-limb movements and five lower-limb movements. In these exercises, the rest and activity periods were the same for both groups, and a warm-up and cool-down period of 10 to 15 minutes was performed before and after the training; the control group did not participate in any of the aforementioned exercises (Mohammaddoost & Shabkhiz & Akbarnejad Ghrhlo, 2024). In the extract consumption groups, subjects consumed 8 mL of the extract daily for eight weeks, dissolved in 250 mL of water (one glass of water), after lunch (Pual & Seaforth, 2011).
Statistical analysis
The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to ensure the normality of the data distribution, and the Levene test was employed to ensure the homogeneity of variances. Intra-group changes were examined using a paired t-test, and between-group comparisons were examined using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Moreover, the least significant difference (LSD) test was used to determine differences between groups at a significance level of P<0.05.
RESULTS
According to the results of the paired t-test, in the variables of diastolic blood pressure and LDL, the difference between the subjects in the pre-test and post-test interval is statistically significant in the other groups studied except the control group (P<0.05). Regarding the variables weight, BMI, WHR, HDL, CHOL, and TG, the differences between pre-test and post-test are statistically significant only in the exercise+placebo and exercise+extract groups (P<0.05) and are not significant in the extract and control groups (P>0.05). Regarding the systolic blood pressure variable, the difference between the subjects in the pre-test and post-test interval is statistically significant only in the exercise+placebo group (P<0.05). The results also indicated that the values ​​of weight, BMI, WHR, CHOL, and TG in the exercise+placebo group experienced significant changes compared to the extract and control groups (P=0.00). However, these values ​​did not show a significant difference with the exercise+extract group (P=0.11). There was also a significant difference between the exercise+extract group compared to the extract group and the control group (P=0.00), which means that changes in the exercise+placebo and exercise+extract groups have a significant effect on weight loss, BMI, WHR, CHOL, and TG compared to the extract and control groups. Diastolic blood pressure and LDL values in the three research groups were significantly different compared to the control group (P=0.00), which means that the consumption of extract and exercise for eight weeks in the exercise+placebo group, the exercise+extract group, and the extract group caused changes (increase and decrease) in serum diastolic blood pressure and LDL values ​​compared to the control group.
CONCLUSION
The findings of the study show that an eight-week TRX training program and consumption of Eryngium billardieri extract have a significant effect on reducing lipid profiles and some cardiovascular risk factors in obese and overweight women. Changes in lipid profile can be viewed from two perspectives: some believe that improvements occur as a result of reducing fat percentage and improving body composition through exercise. In contrast, others believe that improvements in lipid profile are due to hormonal and cellular molecular changes resulting from exercise (Ahmadi & Moheb-Mohammadi, 2020). Another mechanism for reducing body fat following exercise is the increase in PGC-1 production, an important factor in regulating metabolism by increasing fat oxidation and preventing obesity, especially in the abdominal area (Afzalpour & Ghasemi, 2017). Moreover, the excitement and performance of a group can increase individuals' motivation to continue training by raising the lactate threshold and reducing fatigue, and can be a method for improving body composition and the adaptations that result from it (De Melo Dos Santos & E Costa, 2017). However, according to the results of the present study, the importance of exercise and training programs can play an effective role in reducing fat accumulation and preventing overweight, improving lipid profile and metabolism, and subsequently, reducing the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. However, further research is recommended on the effects of TRX training combined with Eryngium billardieri extract on lipid profiles and some cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese women, the combined effects of the two, and the effects of Eryngium billardieri alone, in addition to the findings of the present study.
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
For approval of compliance with the ethical guidelines, code of ethics No. IR.ZAUMS.REC.1396.351 was obtained. It should also be announced that the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, such as obtaining informed consent from the participants and the confidentiality of their information, have been observed.
Funding
The present work was carried out with the financial and executive support of the University of Sistan and Baluchistan, Iran.
Authors’ Contribution
The authors have played an equal role in conducting this research.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the university's Vice Chancellor for Research, the professors of sports sciences, and all the dear people who helped us as subjects in this research.