The Effect of 8-Week Aerobic Exercise and Consumption of Omega-3 Supplement on Pulmonary Function in Obese Men

Inactivity and obesity are of the consequences of industrial life, as the trend of increasing prevalence of obesity has negative effects on the respiratory system. Aerobic exercises and omega-3 fatty acids are paid close attention due to their physiological effects on different systems of the body. The present study was carried out in order to examine the effect of 8-week aerobic exercise and consumption of omega-3 supplement on pulmonary function in obese men. In this semi-experimental study, 40 obese men with average age of 32.3±3.05 years, weight of 97.8±7.4 kg, waist-hip ratio of 1.01±0.022, Body Fat of 31.53±2.52 Percent and BMI of 32.3±2.61 kg/m2 were randomly assigned into 4 groups of 10 participants: placebo, supplement, training-placebo, training-supplement. Aerobic training program consisted of running with intensity of 55-85% HRmax for 8 weeks, 25-45 minutes and thrice a week. Amount of consuming supplement daily 1000 mg of omega-3 and placebo was also 2% dextrose. The values of variables were measured 48 hours before and after the exercises. Data analysis was carried out using two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test at a significance level of 5%. The effect of the exercise on body fat percentage weight decrease was significant without considering the effect of the supplement (p<0.05). Exercise and supplement caused a significant increase in the values of FVC, FEV1, PEF, FEF25-75, FIV1, and PIF (p<0.05). The effect of the exercise on the increase in VO2max and PEF was significant without considering the effect of the supplement (p<0.05). Exercise, supplement, and combination of exercise and supplement had no significant effect on the size of chest circumference at both inspiration and expiration (p>0.05). Regular aerobic exercise and consumption of omega-3 are two modifying and effective factors in increasing respiratory parameters; therefore, they improve respiratory status in obese men.