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Summary Cardiovascular diseases are among the main cause of deaths in developing countries. This study aims to investigate the effect of circuit-resistance training with saffron supplementation on some cardiovascular risk factors in young untrained men. Twenty-three healthy untrained men participated in a randomized controlled, double blind study and were divided in two groups: placebo–training (PT, n = 11) and saffron stigma (sargoal)–training (ST, n = 12) groups. Participants were trained in a circuit-resistance training program (12 stations, 30 second/station) for 5 days/week for the duration of 2 weeks. The ST group received supplement in form of capsules (250 mg) twice per day (morning and immediately after each training session) while the PT group received water. Blood samples were taken 48 hours before and after the last training session to determine creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentrations. Statistical analysis showed that there were no significant differences in cardiovascular risk factor (P > 0.05) except for plasma levels of LDH (P = 0.025) between the two groups. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated that the 2 weeks circuit-resistance program was able to induce significant changes in measurement variables and supplementation by saffron somewhat reinforced the effect of circuit-resistance training program.

BSTRACT A limited number of studies has been carried out concerning the combined effects of resistance training and saffron supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of circuit resistance training with Crocus sativus (saffron) supplementation on plasma viscosity and fibrinogen. For this purpose, 44 healthy male subjects, based on individual characteristics and after homogenization, were divided into four groups, including water-training (WT; n=11), petal sweat–training (PST; n=10), bottom part of flower-training (BFT; n=11), and upper part of flower-training (UFT; n=12). Resistance training consisted of 12 stations (each station for 30 seconds with 40% of one repetition maximum) for 2 weeks (5 sessions per week). Saffron in the amount of 500 mg was used twice daily, i.e. in the morning and immediately after exercise. Blood samples were taken before and 48 hours after the last exercise session and were analyzed for fibrinogen and plasma viscosity. Significant differences were observed between groups in plasma levels of fibrinogen (P=0.01). The post hoc test showed significant differences between the UFT and PST groups and the UFT and BFT groups (respectively, P=0.04 and P=0.014). In the post-test, plasma fibrinogen had significantly decreased in the WT (P=0.005), PWT (P=0.003), and UFT (P=0.001) groups compared with pre-test data (within group difference). Moreover, plasma viscosity was significantly changed among groups (F3, 37=3.52, P=0.024). The post hoc test showed significant differences between the UFT and WT groups (P=0.037). In post-test data, plasma viscosity had significantly decreased in the WT (P=0.015) and UFT (P