The Synergy Effect of Weight‐Bearing Circuit Training and Aloe QDM Complex on Obese Middle Aged Women: a Randomized Double‐Blind Controlled Trial

Article information

Korean J Health Promot. 2014;14(2):59-66

Publication date (electronic) : 2014 January 20

doi : https://doi.org/10.15384/kjhp.2014.14.2.59

Mi Jung Choi ¹, Yong An Kim ¹, Eunju Shin ², Seon-Gil Do ², Wook Song ¹^,

¹Health and Exercise Science Laboratory, Institute of Sports Science, Department of Physical Education, College of Education, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

²Univera Inc., Seoul, Korea

Corresponding author：Wook Song, PhD Health and Exercise Science Laboratory, Institute of Sports Science, Department of Physical Education, College of Education, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-748, Korea Tel: +82-2-880-7804, Fax: +82-2-886-7804 E-mail: songw3@snu.ac.kr

Received 2014 January 16; Accepted 2014 June 10.

Abstract

Background

Obesity is a major health problem and leads to metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia. Recently, it was reported that aloe QDM complex, composed of processed aloe vera gel, aloesin and chromiun could improve insulin sensitivity by enhancing 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein (AMPK) activity and has an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It is also known that aloe QDM complex can reduce body weight, body fat mass and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes patients. The purpose of this study was to assess for possible synergistic effects of weight-bearing circuit training and aloe QDM complex supplementation on body composition, physical fitness, blood profile and diabetes risk factors.

Methods

Study subjects included 19 participants randomly assigned to the Exercise group (Ex, n=9) and to the Exercise with aloe QDM complex group (Q-Ex, n=10). Both groups participated in weight-bearing circuit training 3 times a week for 4 weeks and took a capsule composed of either aloe (aloe QDM complex) or soy bean (placebo), 1100 mg/day for 4 weeks. Body composition was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Grip strength, flexibility, curl-up, balance, agility, Sargent jump and VO_2max were measured, as well as fasting blood samples taken.

Results

After 4 weeks of weight-bearing circuit training and aloe QDM complex supplementation, the significant interactions (time × intervention) between the groups regarding body fat percentage (F=7.024, P=0.017) and body fat mass (F=5.243, P=0.035) were calculated. There were significant differences in body fat percentage (P=0.029) and body fat mass (P=0.039). No significant interaction was observed in physical fitness, blood profile and diabetes risk factors.

Conclusions

In this study, the combination of weight-bearing circuit training and aloe QDM complex supplementation showed a positive effect for reducing body fat mass, and could be an effective intervention for managing obesity.

Keywords: Obesity; Exercise; Aloe

Figure 1.

Study population and design

Table 1.

Exercise program

Table 2.

Basal characteristics of study subjects at ‘intention-to-treat' (ITT) and ‘per-protocol' (PP)^a

Table 3.

Changes in body composition measured by DXA after 4 weeks of weight bearing circuit training and aloe QDMC supplementation (n=19)^a

Table 4.

Changes in physical fitness after 4 weeks of weight bearing circuit training and aloe QDMC supplementation (n=19)^a,b

Table 5.

Changes in blood lipids and diabetes risk factors after 4 weeks of weight bearing circuit training and aloe QDMC supplementation (n=19)^a,b

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Figure 1.

Study population and design

Table 1.

Exercise program

Type	Intensity	Duration, wk	Frequency	Contents
Weight bearing circuit training	(HRmax – HRrest) × 40% to 60% + HRrest	4	3 times/wk, 20–30 repetition, 2 sets	Hip circles, push up, lateral squat, long lever crunches, squat, arm & leg raise, calf raise

Abbreviations: HRmax, maximum heart rate; HRrest, resting heart rate.

Table 2.

Basal characteristics of study subjects at ‘intention-to-treat' (ITT) and ‘per-protocol' (PP)^a

Variables	ITT		PP		P
Variables	Ex (n=12)	Q‐Ex (n=16)	Ex (n=9)	Q‐Ex (n=10)	ITT	PP
Age, y	51.0±2.0	50.0±2.3	50.7±2.4	50.7±2.4	N.S.	N.S.
Height, cm	155.3±1.8	157.8±1.4	153.7±2.1	156.2±1.3	N.S.	N.S.
Weight, kg	64.6±2.4	63.5±2.1	65.0±2.7	59.9±1.7	N.S.	N.S.
WHR	0.92±0.008	0.90±0.014	0.93±0.009	0.88±0.013	N.S.	0.013^b
BMI, kg/m²	26.8±0.8	25.5±0.7	27.4±0.7	24.6±0.7	N.S.	0.010^c
Body fat, %	37.2±0.8	37.6±0.9	38.2±0.7	36.5±1.0	N.S.	N.S.
Lean body, %	62.8±0.8	62.4±0.9	61.8±0.7	63.5±1.0	N.S.	N.S.
VO_2max, mL/kg/min	21.9±1.5	22.9±0.6	20.0±1.3	22.68±0.9	N.S.	N.S.
FBG, mg/dL	94.8±3.4	104.1±11.4	95.3±4.4	91.6±3.1	N.S.	N.S.
Insulin, mlU/L	6.6±1.0	7.3±1.1	7.3±1.2	6.5±1.7	N.S.	N.S.
HbA_1c, %	6.1±0.1	5.9±0.2	6.0±0.1	5.6±0.1	N.S.	0.004^d
HOMA‐IR	1.6±0.2	1.9±0.3	1.7±0.3	1.5±0.5	N.S.	N.S.
Total cholesterol, mg/dL	208.0±8.6	192.2±5.8	216.9±9.6	197.1±8.1	N.S.	N.S.
HDL‐C, mg/dL	49.8±2.3	55.6±3.8	49.0±2.7	57.6±5.8	N.S.	N.S.
Triglyceride, mg/dL	131.0±25.6	112.6±23.2	145.6±33.0	124.0±36.8	N.S.	N.S.

Abbreviations: Ex, exercise group; Q‐Ex, aloe QDM complex group; WHR, waist hip ratio; BMI, body mass index; VO_2max, maximum oxygen consumption; FBG, fasting blood glucose; HbA1c, hemoglobin A_1c; HOMA-IR, homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance; HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Values are presented as mean±SEM.

Calculated by independent t-test in PP group, P=0.013.

Calculated by independent t-test in PP group, P=0.010.

Calculated by independent t-test in PP group, P=0.004.

Table 3.

Changes in body composition measured by DXA after 4 weeks of weight bearing circuit training and aloe QDMC supplementation (n=19)^a

Variables	Pre		Post		F	P
Variables	Ex	Q‐Ex	Ex	Q‐Ex	F	P
Body fat, %	38.2±2.1	36.5±3.1	37.7±2.3	34.9±2.9^b,c	7.024	0.017^d
Body fat mass, kg	24.8±3.6	22.0±3.5	24.2±3.6^e	20.6±3.5^f,g	5.243	0.035^h
Lean body mass, kg	40.1±4.9	37.9±2.8	39.9±5.1	38.3±3.3	1.929	0.183

Abbeviations: Ex, exercise group; Q‐Ex, aloe QDM complex group; DXA, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

Values are presented as mean±SEM.

Calculated by paired t-test, P=0.001, compared with Pre Q-Ex.

Calculated by independent t-test, P=0.029, compared with Post Ex group.

Calculated by repeated measures ANOVA, P=0.017, time × intervention interaction.

Calculated by paired t-test, P=0.032, compared with Pre Ex group.

Calculated by paired t-test, P<0.001, compared with Pre Q-Ex group.

Calculated by independent t-test, P=0.039, compared with Post Ex group.

Calculated by repeated measures ANOVA, P=0.035, time × intervention interaction.

Table 4.

Changes in physical fitness after 4 weeks of weight bearing circuit training and aloe QDMC supplementation (n=19)^a,b

Variables	Pre		Post		F	P
Variables	Ex	Q-Ex	Ex	Q-Ex	F	P
Grip strength, kg	26.4±1.6	25.5±1.5	29.0±1.3	27.6±1.1	0.116	0.738
Flexibility, cm	16.8±2.3	13.7±2.3	18.1±2.4	17.5±2.0	2.638	0.123
Curl-up, times/60 s Sargent jump, cm	12.8±1.7 20.1±1.1	13.4±1.5 20.6±1.6	14.8±1.7 22.1±1.1	17.3±1.3 23.7±1.6	2.771 0.437	0.114 0.517
Agility, msec	334±32.5	302±31.1	287±55.3	272±32.1	0.064	0.803
Balance, s	21.4±5.9	15.5±5.8	27.0±5.9	53.5±16.9	4.176	0.057
VO_2max, mL/kg/min	20.0±1.3	22.7±0.9	21.8±1.2	25.9±1.5	0.509	0.485

Abbeviations: Ex, exercise group; Q‐Ex, aloe QDM complex group; VO_2max, maximum oxygen consumption.

Values are presented as mean±SEM.

Calculated by repeated measures ANOVA.

Table 5.

Changes in blood lipids and diabetes risk factors after 4 weeks of weight bearing circuit training and aloe QDMC supplementation (n=19)^a,b

Variables	Pre		Post		F	P
Variables	Ex	Q‐Ex	Ex	Q‐Ex	F	P
Lipid profile
Triglyceride, mL/dL	145.6±33.0	124.0±36.8	111.1±19.6	75.0±13.5	0.211	0.652
Total cholesterol, mg/dL	216.9±9.5	197.1±8.0	219.4±7.8	192.1±6.0	0.765	0.394
HDL‐C, mL/dL	49.0±2.2	57.6±5.8	43.8±1.5	57.8±5.3	0.049	0.828
Diabetes risk factors
FBG, mg/dL	95.3±4.3	91.6±3.0	97.7±4.4	90.8±1.6	0.419	0.526
Insulin, mIU/L HbA_1c, %	7.3±3.6 6.1±0.12	6.5±1.7 5.6±0.0	6.0±2.0 6.01±0.08	4.7±0.3 5.6±0.0	0.056 2.342	0.816 0.144
HOMA‐IR	1.71±0.27	1.54±0.47	1.42±0.16	1.06±0.08	0.140	0.713

Abbreviations: Ex, exercise group; Q‐Ex, aloe QDM complex group; HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; FBG, fasting blood glucose; HbA1c, hemoglobin A_1c; HOMA-IR, homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance.

Values are presented as mean±SEM.

Calculated by repeated measures ANOVA.