Effects of Tabata-style functional training and cinnamon supplementation on army combat fitness test performance, serum irisin, and body composition in military cadets: a randomized controlled trial

The study aimed to assess the effect of Tabata-style functional training with or without cinnamon supplementation on the performance of the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), serum irisin levels, and body composition in cadets at military academies.

In a randomized controlled design, 48 male cadets (22.8 ± 1.3 years) were allocated to 4 groups: Tabata group (n = 14), cinnamon group (n = 10), Tabata+cinnamon (n = 14), and control group (n = 10). This was a 6-week intervention. Tabata training was performed three times per week (8 × 20s work/10s rest; 87%-95% HRmax), and cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) supplementation was administered three times per day (1.5g per day). The ACFT components, serum irisin, body fat percentage (BFP), visceral fat index (VFI), lean body mass (LBM), and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated before and after treatment.