Journal of Sports and Biomotor Sciences

Journal of Sports and Biomotor Sciences

The effect of TRX training on insulin sensitivity indices, quality of life, general health, and body composition in overweight and obese men

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Bahloul Ghorbanian 1
Ghaith Zeyad Azeez Al-Saymarlee 2
farnaz derakhti 3
1 Associate Professor, Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran.
2 M.Sc., Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran
3 P.hd student, Department of Sport Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
10.22034/sbs.2025.520131.1137
Abstract
Introduction and Purpose: The growing trend of obesity is directly linked to the development of various diseases, including type 2 diabetes. Physical activity plays a significant role in weight control and the prevention of metabolic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of TRX training on insulin sensitivity indices, quality of life, general health, and body composition in overweight or obese men.
Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 30 overweight or obese male subjects aged 20 to 30 years were selected and randomly assigned to either the training group (n=15) or the control group (n=15). The TRX training protocol consisted of 8 weeks of training, three days a week for 40-45 minutes. Blood samples were collected at two stages, pre-test and post-test, to evaluate blood variables. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-tests and analysis of covariance at a significance level of P ≤ 0.05, utilizing SPSS statistical software version 23.
Results: Following the TRX training intervention, the mean levels of HOMA-IR, McAuley's index, quality of life, general health, weight, BMI, and WHR in the training group significantly decreased compared to the control group (P ≤ 0.05). However, the difference in means between the two groups for the QUICKI index was not significant (P = 0.170).
Discussion and Conclusion: Based on the findings, TRX exercises can be recommended as a non-pharmacological solution for reducing risk factors, such as insulin resistance and increasing insulin sensitivity, while also improving quality of life and general health in overweight and obese individuals.
Keywords
TRX, Insulin sensitivity indices, Quality of life, General health, Overweight, Obese men

Subjects

1.      Galdavi R., Mogharnasi M, Nayebifar S. The effect of continuous training on plasma levels of adipolin, insulin sensitivity and body fat percent in overweight and obese women. Journal of Practical Studies of Biosciences in Sport. 2021; 10(21): 42-52. doi: 10.22077/jpsbs.2021.3955.1608.
2.      Fock K. M, Khoo J. Diet and exercise in management of obesity and overweight. Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology.  2013; 28 )4(: 59-63. doi: 10.1111/jgh.12407.
3.      Angelantonio E, Bhupathiraju ShN, Wormser D, Gao P, Kaptoge S, Berrington de Gonzalez A & et al. Body-mass index and all-cause mortality: individual-participant-data meta-analysis of 239 prospective studies in four continents. Lancet.  2016 Aug 20; 388(10046):776-86. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30175-1.
4.      Kolotkin RL, Andersen JR. A systematic review of reviews: exploring the relationship between obesity, weight loss and health‐related quality of life. Clinical obesity. 2017; 7(5): 273-289. doi: 10.1111/cob. 12203.
5.      Pourahmadi M., Jahromi H, Rooeintan Y. The effect of aqueous extract of caraway seed (Carum carvi) on cholecystokinin hormone in male rat. Journal of Fundamental and Applied Sciences. 2016; 8(4): 2023-2035. doi:10.4314/jfas.v8i2s.162
6.      Keating SE, Hackett DA, Parker HM, O'Connor HT, Gerofi JA, Sainsbury A & et al. Effect of aerobic exercise training dose on liver fat and visceral adiposity. Journal of hepatology. 2015 Jul; 63(1): 174-82. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2015.02.022.
7.      Entezari M. The effectiveness of treatment based on “Choice Theory” on improving the lifestyle of women suffered from obesity. Journal of Health Promotion Management. 2015; 4 (2): 1-6. [In Persian]
8.      Gholami F, Ebrahim K, Ahmadizad S, Nikukheslat S. D, Rahbaran A. The concurrent effect of endurance training and garlic supplementation on body composition and lipid profile in sedentary young males. Medical Journal of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.  2013;35(1): 52-59. [In Persian]
9.      Stefan N, Cusi K. A global view of the interplay between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. 2022 Ap;10(4):284-296. doi: 10.1016/S2213-8587(22)00003-1.
10.    Ghorbani M. A Review of Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity. New Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Journal. 2015; 5 (18) :9-14. [In Persian]
11.    Sabziparvar S, Zolfaghar Didani M, khodaei k. The effect of high intensity interval training compared to mediation on QUICKI, McAuley, HOMA-IR indices, glycemic indices, and lipid profile in women with type 2 diabetes. Journal of Sports and Biomotor Sciences. 2023;15(30): 55-66.  doi:  10.22034/sbs.2023.410771.1048. [In Persian]
12.    Khooshemehri G, Kaviani M, Asmari M, Rajabian H, Naserkhaki V. Comparison of quality of life for elderly men and women elderly nursing home resident by alborz province in 1390. Alborz University Medical Journal. 2013; 2(1): 19-24. [In Persian]
13.    Khooshemehri G, Kaviani M, Asmari M, Rajabian H, Naserkhaki V. Evaluating general health status using Goldberg’s general health questionnaire among the staff of Ilam university of medical sciences in 2015.  aumj. 2013; 2 (1) :19-24. doi: 10.18869/acadpub.aums.2.1.19. [In Persian]
14.    Ryan B. J, Schleh M. Ahn W, C, Ludzki A. C, Gillen J. B, Varshney P, D & et al. Moderate-intensity exercise and high-intensity interval training affect insulin sensitivity similarly in obese adults. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2020; 105(8):e2941-e2959. DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa345.
15.    Keating SE, Hackett DA, George J, Johnson NA. Exercise and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Hepatology. 2012 Jul;57(1):157-66. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2012.02.023.
16.    Zelber-Sagi S, Buch A, Yeshua H, Vaisman N, Webb M, Harari G & et al. Effect of resistance training on non-alcoholic fatty-liver disease a randomized-clinical trial. World journal of gastroenterology. 2014; 20(15):4382-92. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i15.4382.
17.    Dudgeon W. D, Herron J. M, Aartun  J. A, Thomas D. D, Kelley E. P, Scheett T. P.  Physiologic and metabolic effects of a suspension training workout. International Journal of Sports Science. 2015; 5(2): 65-72. doi:10.5923/j.sports.20150502.04.
18.    Dumke C & Haff G. G.  Laboratory Manual For Exercise Physiology.  Human Kinetics. 2021.
19.    Roshanfar A,  Padash Z, Mokhtari S, Izadikhah Z. The effectiveness of psychotherapy training based on Frisch's theory on the quality of life of clients in Isfahan. Health System Research.  2014; 9 (14): 2046-55. URL: http://hsr.mui.ac.ir/article-1-581-en.html. [In Persian]
20.    Mashyekh A. A, Hoseini A. R. A study of general health of Active and inactive teacher’s from chamestan city. journal of motor and behavioral sciences.2020; 3(2): 229-235. [In Persian]
21.    Derakhti F, Ghorbanian B, Saberi Y. The effect of eight weeks of TRX training combined with sesame seed supplementation on serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and lipid profile in obese women. Journal of Metabolism and Exercise. 2023; 13(2): 115-130. doi: 10.22124/jme.2023.24653.305. [In Persian]
22.    Jeon YK, Kim SS, Kim JH, Kim HJ, Kim HJ, Park JJ & et al. Combined aerobic and resistance exercise training reduces circulating apolipoprotein J levels and improves insulin resistance in postmenopausal diabetic women. Diabetes & metabolism journal.  2020; 44(1):103-112. doi: 10.4093/dmj.2018.0160.
23.    Ravasi A, Aminian T, Gaeini A, Hamedinia M, Haghighi A. Effect of endurance training on pro- inflammatory cytokines and insulin resistance in obesity men. Pajoohandeh Journal. 2006; 16(4):302-310. [In Persian] 
24.    Kermani S, Alizadeh R, Moradi L. The effect of eight weeks of resistance training on adropin plasma level and insulin resistance index in overweight men. Journal of Sport and Exercise Physiology. 14(1): 31-37.  doi: 10.52547/joeppa.14.1.31. [In Persian]
25.    Mohammadi A, Bijeh N, Moazzami M, Kazem Khodaei, Rahimi N. Effect of exercise training on spexin level, appetite, lipid accumulation product, visceral adiposity index, and body composition in adults with type 2 diabetes. Biological Research For Nursing. 2022; 24(2): 152-162. doi: 10.1177/109980042110505 96. 
26.    Zahalka S. J, Abushamat L. A, Scalzo R. L, Reusch J. E. The role of exercise in diabetes. Endotext.  2023 Jan 6 .
27.    Sasani K, Seirafi M, Meschi F, Sarami G, Peymani J. Obesity and Health-Related quality of Life. Iranian Journal of Nursing Research. 2020; 15 (4) :34-42. [In Persian]
28.    Bahmaninezhad M, Moradi Shakib A, Hatamipour K. Effect of Strength Training with Elastic Band on Body Mass Index, Quality of Life and Psychological Well-being in Obese Females. Iranian Journal of Rehabilitation Research in Nursing.  2020; 6(3): 34-41. [In Persian]
29.    Taheri Chadorneshin H, Fattahi Z, Rashidi E. The effect of high and low volume resistance training on quality of life and endurance in elderly women. The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility.2023; 26 (4), 26-35. doi: 10.22038/IJOGI.2023.22728. [In Persian]
30.    Messier V, Rabasa-Lhoret R, Doucet E, Brochu M, Lavoie JM, Karelis A & et al. Effects of the addition of a resistance training programme to a caloric restriction weight loss intervention on psychosocial factors in overweight and obese post-menopausal women: A Montreal Ottawa New Emerging Team study. Journal of Sports Scince. 2010; 28(1): 83-92. doi: 10.1080/02640410903390105. 
31.    Heiestad H, Rustaden A. M, Bø K, Haakstad L. A. Effect of regular resistance training on motivation, self-perceived health, and quality of life in previously inactive overweight women: a randomized, controlled trial. Biomed Research International. 2016; 2016: 3815976. doi: 10.1155/2016/3815976.
32.    Ranjbar R, Hasanvand H, Habibi A. H, Goharpey S. Comparison of the Effect of TRX and traditional resistance training on some factors of body composition and balance in sedentary men. Jundishapur Scientific Medical Journal.  2018; 16(6): 621-630. doi: 10.22118/jsmj.2018.58086. [In Persian]
33.    Petridou A, Siopi A, Mougios V. Exercise in the management of obesity. Metabolism. 2019; 92:163-169. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2018.10.009.
34.    Drenowatz C, Hand GA, Sagner M, Shook RP, Burgess S, Blair SN. The prospective association between different types of exercise and body composition. Medicine and science in sports and exercise. 2015; 47(12):2535-41. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000701.
35.   Thompson D,  Karpe F, Lafontan M, Frayn K. Physical activity and exercise in the regulation of human adipose tissue physiology. Physiological Reviews. 2012; 92(1):157-91. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00012.2011.
Journal of Sports and Biomotor Sciences
Volume 17, Issue 33 - Serial Number 33
In Progress
September 2025
Pages 71-84

  • Receive Date 29 April 2025
  • Revise Date 31 August 2025
  • Accept Date 08 September 2025