مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رسانی علوم و فناوری Journal of Sports Physiology and Athletic Conditioning 2783-3038 6 19 2026 3 12 The effects of high-intensity functional training with spinach-derived thylakoid supplementation on Irisin and Lipocalin-2 in obese males The effects of high-intensity functional training with spinach-derived thylakoid supplementation on Irisin and Lipocalin-2 in obese males en Leila Vakili Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Ki.C., Islamic Azad University, Kish, Iran Seyed Ali Hosseini Department of Sport Physiology, Marv.C, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran Heshmatollah parsian Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, ShQ.C., Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e Qods, Iran Mohammad Ali Azarbayjani Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Rouhallah Ershadi Department of Physical Education and sport science, Bu.C., Islamic Azad University, Bushehr, Iran 2025 12 15 <p><strong>Introduction</strong>: Obesity is a major cause of mortality in developing countries. Increasing physical activity and improving dietary patterns are effective strategies for its prevention and control. This study examined the effects of a 12-week high-intensity functional training (HIFT) program combined with spinach-derived thylakoid supplementation (T) on circulating lipocalin-2 and irisin levels in obese men.</p> <p><strong>Methods</strong>: Forty-four volunteers (mean age 27.6 &plusmn; 8.4 years; mean height 168.4 &plusmn; 2.6 cm; mean weight 95.7 &plusmn; 3.8 kg; mean BMI 32.6 &plusmn; 2.6 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to four equal groups (n = 11 each) including placebo control (C), thylakoid supplement (T), HIFT, and HIFT + thylakoid (HT). After baseline measurements, the HIFT and HT groups completed a 12-week HIFT program based on CrossFit principles (3 sessions/week, total 36 sessions; 60 min/session). Supplement groups consumed 5 g/day T powder; C group received 5 g/day raw corn starch (one sachet, taken 30 minutes before lunch) for the same period. Assessments were performed 48 hours before the intervention and 48 hours after the final training session. Between-group differences were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).</p> <p><strong>Results</strong>: ANCOVA revealed significant between-group effects for lipocalin-2 (P&lt; 0.001) and irisin (P= 0.006). Post hoc pair wise comparisons showed significant increases in irisin and decreases in lipocalin-2 for the T, HIFT and HT groups versus C group (P &lt; 0.001).</p> <p><strong>Conclusion</strong>: Twelve weeks of HIFT and daily T supplementation reduced lipocalin-2 and increased irisin concentrations in obese men, with the greatest improvements observed when training and supplementation were combined.</p> http://jspac.etb.iau.ir/ar/Article/Download/52482