Effect of Arthrospira (Spirulina) maxima Supplementation and a Systematic Physical Exercise Program on the Body Composition and Cardiorespiratory Fitness of Overweight or Obese Subjects: A Double-Blind, Randomized, and Crossover Controlled Trial

Marco Antonio Hernández-Lepe, José Alberto López-Díaz, Marco Antonio Juárez-Oropeza, Rosa Patricia Hernández-Torres, Abraham Wall-Medrano, Arnulfo Ramos-Jiménez, Marco Antonio Hernández-Lepe, José Alberto López-Díaz, Marco Antonio Juárez-Oropeza, Rosa Patricia Hernández-Torres, Abraham Wall-Medrano, Arnulfo Ramos-Jiménez

Abstract

Excess weight and obesity are major risk factors for many chronic diseases, and weight-loss interventions often include systematic exercise and nutritional supplements. The purpose of this study was to determine the independent/synergistic effects of Arthrospira (Spirulina) maxima supplementation (six weeks, 4.5 g·day-1) and a systematic physical exercise program (six weeks, twice weekly) on the body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness of overweight and obese subjects. To achieve this, 27 overweight and 25 obese sedentary male subjects were assigned to four interventions through a randomized double-blind, crossover controlled trial: A physical exercise program, with (SE) or without (Ex) Spirulina maxima; or no-exercise program, with (Sm) and without (C) Spirulina maxima. The body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness parameters were taken during a maximum intensity test. As compared to the C group, the body fat percentage of the SE, Sm and Ex groups was reduced (p < 0.05), while their maximal oxygen uptake improved (r = -0.40), and obese subjects benefited more significantly. Weight loss, the time to reach fatigue and the onset of blood lactate accumulation were improved in both of the Spirulina maxima supplemented groups, regardless of the subjects' body weight. Spirulina maxima supplementation synergistically improves the effects of systematic exercise on body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness parameters in overweight, but mostly in individuals with obesity.

Trial registration: Clinical Trials, NCT02837666. Registered 19 July 2016.

Keywords: Overweight; body fat; double-blind; maximal oxygen uptake; obesity; randomized controlled trial.

Conflict of interest statement

All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form at , which are available, on request, from the corresponding author. All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest related to this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Changes in body weight and body fat percentage by treatments. SE: Spirulina and exercise; Ex: exercise and placebo; Sm: Spirulina without exercise; and C: control (placebo treatment). (A) Total body weight changes of subjects; (B) Body weight changes in overweight subjects; (C) Body weight changes in subjects with obesity; (D) Total body fat changes of subjects; (E) Body fat changes in overweight subjects; and (F) Body fat changes in subjects with obesity. Data are shown as the mean, with 95% confidence intervals. Different letters indicate the statistical differences between groups (p < 0.05).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Changes in time to fatigue by treatments. SE: Spirulina and exercise; Ex: exercise and placebo; Sm: Spirulina without exercise; and C: control (placebo treatment). (A) Total time to fatigue changes of subjects; (B) Time to fatigue changes in overweight subjects; and (C) Time to fatigue changes in obesity subjects. Data are shown as the mean, with 95% confidence intervals. Different letters indicate the statistical differences between groups (p < 0.05).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Changes in resting heart rate and onset blood lactate accumulation by treatments. HR: heart rate; OBLA: onset blood lactate accumulation; %HR: percentage of maximal heart rate; SE: Spirulina and exercise; Ex: exercise and placebo; Sm: Spirulina without exercise; and C: control (placebo treatment). (A) Total resting HR changes of subjects; (B) Resting HR changes in overweight subjects; (C) Resting HR changes in obesity subjects; (D) Total OBLA changes of subjects; (E) OBLA changes in overweight subjects; and (F) OBLA changes in obesity subjects. Data are presented as the mean with 95% confidence intervals. Different letters indicate the statistical differences between groups (p < 0.05).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Changes in maximal oxygen uptake by treatments. VO2max: Maximal oxygen uptake; SE: Spirulina and exercise; Ex: exercise and placebo; Sm: Spirulina without exercise; and C: control (placebo treatment). (A) Total VO2max changes of subjects; (B) VO2max changes in overweight subjects; and (C) VO2max changes in subjects with obesity. Data are shown as the mean, with 95% confidence intervals. Different letters indicate the statistical differences between groups (p < 0.05).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Experimental design for the independent and additive effect of Spirulina maxima and exercise. MIT: Maximum intensity test.

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