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Comparison of the effect of 8 weeks of combined training with caffeine or ginseng supplementation versus aerobic exercise on physical fitness, depression, anxiety, and stress: a randomized clinical trial
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Mohammad Hassan Olamazadeh1   , Mohammadreza Zarali2 , Amin Ebdalifar3 |
1- Department of Exercise, Physiology, Faculty of Sport Science, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran , Mholamazade@yahoo.com
2- Armed forces health administration of Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, Iran
3- Faculty of Physical Education, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran |
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Abstract: (13 Views) |
Introduction: Active-duty personnel are vulnerable to declines in physical fitness and increases in anxiety–depressive symptoms due to mission pressure and sleep deprivation. This study aimed to compare the effects of 8 weeks of “selected combined training” with caffeine, ginseng, or placebo versus “morning aerobic exercise” on physical and psychological indices.
Methods: In a four-arm randomized clinical trial, 60 active-duty men with body mass index (BMI) 25–35 were stratified and allocated to four 15-person groups: (1) selected combined training + caffeine, (2) selected combined training + ginseng, (3) selected combined training + placebo, and (4) morning aerobic exercise. Before and after 8 weeks, VO₂max, body composition, flexibility, balance, muscular strength and endurance, and DASS-21 score were assessed. Analyses used ANCOVA adjusted for baseline value, age, and BMI.
Results: All three combined-training groups, compared with morning aerobics, showed significant improvements in VO₂max, lower body-fat percentage, higher fat-free mass, and better flexibility and balance, whereas body weight and 1RM indices did not differ between groups. The greatest improvement in body composition was observed in the combined-training + caffeine group. Reductions in total DASS-21 score occurred mainly in the two supplement groups.
Conclusions: Over 8 weeks, selected combined training, irrespective of supplement type, outperformed morning aerobics in improving VO₂max, body composition, flexibility, and balance without changing weight. Caffeine and ginseng only modestly potentiated the effects and showed no definitive superiority. This approach is a practical, low-cost field option for active-duty personnel. |
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| Keywords: Caffeine, Ginseng, Physical Fitness, Military Personnel |
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Type of Article: Research Article |
Subject:
Health Management
Received: 2024/05/13 | Revised: 2026/02/17 | Accepted: 2024/05/14
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