The Effects of Combined Training along with Royal Jelly on Body Composition and Fatty Liver Indices in Postmenopausal Women: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.Sc. Student in Sports Physiology, School of Sports Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Deoartment of Exercise Physiology, School of Sports Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran.

3 Professor, Deoartment of Exercise Physiology, School of Sports Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran.

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Sports Sciences, School of Literature and Humanities, Zabol University, Zabol, Iran.

10.22038/ijogi.2025.81474.6151

Abstract

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) is a metabolic disorder that exhibits an increased prevalence in menopausal women. The present study was conducted with aim to compare the effect of combined training along with royal jelly consumption on body composition and fatty liver indices in postmenopausal women.
Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted in 2023 on 23 postmenopausal women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Mashhad. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: combined exercise + royal jelly and combined exercise + placebo. Both groups underwent 8-week resistance and aerobic exercises, 3 sessions per week. Royal jelly and placebo were consumed on training days. Before the first session and 48 hours after the last training session, anthropometric indicators including height, weight, body mass index, and subcutaneous fat percentage were measured and blood sampling was done. Data analysis was performed using the statistical software SPSS (version 26) and Shapiro-Wilk test and repeated measures ANOVA. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The combined training + royal jelly gel group displayed a significant reduction in ALT (p=0.015) and AST (p=0.002) enzyme levels. The interactive effect of combined exercise and royal jelly supplementation was not statistically significant despite the reduction in body mass index (p=0.829), body weight (p=0.978), body fat (p=0.864), fatty liver index (p=0.569), and GGT enzyme (p=0.420).
Conclusion: The combined training along with royal jelly consumption resulted in improved liver enzyme levels in menopausal women with NAFL. Despite improvements in fatty liver index and body composition in both groups, the changes were not significant. To gain a more accurate understanding of the long-term effects and different doses of royal jelly, it seems nessecary to perform studies with control groups.

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Main Subjects

References

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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 28, Issue 7
September 2025
Pages 45-58

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