بررسی اثرات تمرین ورزشی و عصاره زعفران بر بعضی از پیشگویی‌کننده‌های بیماری‌های قلبی عروقی

Introduction: The aim of the present research was to investigate the intervention of exercise and saffron supplement on predictors of cardiovascular diseases. Method: The present research was a semi-experimental and applied study. For this purpose, 40 sedentary women were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control, saffron supplement, resistance training-placebo, and resistance training-saffron extract groups. The subjects performed resistance training protocol for 12 weeks. Also, the supplement group received 40 mg of saffron extract. Anthropometric and experimental evaluations were done before and after 12 weeks as pre-test and post-test to investigate the supplement and training interventions. The statistical tests that were run in this study were one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and LSD Post hoc test. Results: The results showed that there was not any significant difference between the different groups in all variables except triglyceride (P < 0.005). LSD post hoc test showed that there was a significant difference between the control group and training with saffron group in variables of CRP, LDL, and insulin resistance (P < 0.005). Inaddition, there was a difference between saffron group and control group only in variable of LDL (P < 0.005). This indicated the special role of saffron in LDL. On the other hand, the results showed there was a significant difference between training-saffron group and placebo in all the variables except the variable of triglyceride (P < 0.005). Conclusion: Resistance training with and without saffron supplement within 12 weeks is an efficient way to improve cardiovascular risk factors. Also, saffron supplement along with resistance training has relatively better and more efficient effects. &nbsp;