Effects of High-intensity Exercise With Hypoxia and Taurine Supplementation on Metabolic and Mitochondrial Parameters

Effects of High-intensity Intermittent Exercise With Recovery Hypoxia and Taurine Supplementation in Women With Obesity on Metabolic and Mitochondrial Parameters

The prevalence of obesity in Brazil is one of the highest in Latin America. As an inflammatory disease, obesity needs to be treated, and one of the best interventions is exercise. This research aims to learn more about the effects of combining high-intensity training, recovery hypoxia, and taurine supplementation. To better understand these effects, the researchers will compare hypoxia and normoxia, as well as taurine and placebo, with all participants training in the same way. The researchers will also investigate mitochondrial respiration and food consumption to connect certain aspects of obesity with overall health.

Obesity is characterized by a chronic inflammatory state, often linked with elevated oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. While physical exercise can trigger inflammatory responses due to muscle damage, it also promotes significant bodily adaptations, particularly in body composition, physical fitness, and skeletal muscle tissue, including enhanced mitochondrial dynamics. Moderate hypoxia, when combined with exercise, further amplifies these benefits by increasing the expression of genes related to mitochondrial biogenesis, GLUT1 expression, and angiogenesis. Previous findings suggest that high-intensity physical activity not only improves cardiorespiratory capacity and alters body composition but also significantly elevates inflammation. Consequently, taurine, a supplement known for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to reduce oxidative stress, should be considered to mitigate these issues and optimize the benefits of exercise and hypoxia. Based on these premises, it is hypothesized that the combination of taurine supplementation with physical training under recovery hypoxia may reduce the significant rise in pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby enhancing the potential benefits of exercise and moderate hypoxia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women
• Age between 25 - 45 years old;
• BMI between 30 - 35kg/m²;
• Not be on a diet;
• Not be on a physical activity program;
• Not be menopaused.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Smokers;
• Alcoholics;
• Use thyroid medication;
• Carry out nutritional monitoring or in treatment for weight loss;
• Hypertension;
• Metabolical syndrome;
• Have any comorbidity associated to obesity;
• Drugs use.