Effect of four weeks home workout plan training and pomegranate supplementation on oxidative stress in overweight and obese postmenopausal women

 Exercises and consumption of plant-based supplements are essential to prevent and control diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of a four-week home workout plan and pomegranate supplementation on oxidative stress in overweight and obese postmenopausal women.

 The present single-blind, quasi-experimental, and practical study was conducted on 60 overweight and obese women between 45 to 65 years with a body mass index over 25 (kg/m2) who were randomly divided into four groups. After participant dropout, 56 women were divided into four groups. The first group (n=15) took pomegranate supplements and had exercise, the second group (n=13) took the placebo and had exercise, the third group (n=14) was given the pomegranate supplement and the fourth group (n=14) was given the placebo. The intervention and placebo groups took a 225 mg capsule of pomegranate supplementation and placebo daily for four weeks, respectively. Resistance training was performed in 28 90-min training sessions for four weeks at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

 The results of the present study indicated that exercise and supplementation significantly increase total antioxidant capacity, and decrease Malondialdehyde (MDA) (P<0/05); however, no significant effect was observed in the other groups. One-way ANOVA demonstrated that four weeks of training and supplementation significantly reduce the concentration of MDA compared to the control group (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed among the four groups in the total antioxidant capacity.

 Pomegranate supplementation together with a home workout plan can possibly reduce oxidative stress and prevent difficulties related to obesity.