Background: The prevalence of obesity and increased fat accumulation in the
abdominal and chest regions among women is rising, which may negatively impact
female fertility. Appropriate exercise regimens can play a crucial role in reducing
and preventing excessive fat accumulation while also influencing sex hormones.
Aim: This study aimed to examine whether specific exercise programs, combined
with ginger supplementation, could effectively reduce localized fat deposits and
improve hormonal balance.
Methodology: A total of 30 obese female university students (aged 20–28 years)
voluntarily participated in this study and were randomly assigned to either the
exercise-only group or the exercise + ginger supplementation group. The exercise
group performed selected exercises three times per week for four weeks, while the
exercise + supplementation group followed the same training protocol but also
consumed ginger supplements three times per week for four weeks. Waist
circumference, chest circumference, and blood hormone levels, including estradiol,
progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH),
were measured before and after the intervention.
Results: The selected exercise regimen significantly reduced chest (p=0.001) and
waist circumference (p=0.001) while significantly increasing estradiol (p=0.010),
progesterone (p=0.030), and FSH (p=0.001). LH levels showed a non-significant
decrease (p=0.343). Moreover, the combination of exercise and ginger
supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in chest (p=0.013) and waist
circumference (p=0.001), along with a significant increase in estradiol (p=0.033),
progesterone (p=0.001), and FSH (p=0.001), while LH levels significantly
decreased (p=0.098).
Conclusions: The findings suggest that selected abdominal and chest exercises,
both alone and in combination with ginger supplementation, can effectively reduce
localized fat accumulation and improve body composition in obese women.
Additionally,