The Effect of Aerobic Training and Caffeine Consumption on Lipid Profile and Resting Blood Pressure in Obese Men: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background: Overweight and obesity are dangerous factors in the incidence of many cardiovascular diseases in overweight and obese men. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of caffeine supplementation and aerobic training on lipid profile and resting blood pressure in overweight and obese men. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 40 male volunteers aged 40 - 50 years who met the inclusion criteria were selected and randomly divided into the four groups of: (1) control, (2) caffeine supplementation, (3) aerobic training, and (4) training + caffeine supplementation. Written consent was obtained from all the subjects. Groups 3 and 4 performed training according to the training protocol for eight weeks and three sessions per week, and groups 2 and 4 consumed 5 mg/kg caffeine daily. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test, and P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Aerobic training as well as caffeine supplementation and aerobic training had a significant effect on the improvement of lipid profile and mean arterial blood pressure in overweight and obese men (P ≤ 0.05), but caffeine supplementation had no effect on any of the lipid profile variables (i.e., LDL, HDL, CHOL, and TG) or mean arterial blood pressure in overweight and obese men (P 0.05). Conclusions: It seems that aerobic training can have beneficial effects on lipid profile and blood pressure in overweight and obese men.