Effects of Aerobic Dance Exercise and Honey Supplementation Followed by Their Subsequent Cessation on Bone Metabolism Markers and Antioxidant Status in Young Collegiate Females

Abstract

Background: Regular physical activity and proper nutritional intake are crucial for bone health. However, it is unclear if this health benefit is maintained after the removal of these stimuli. This study investigated the combined effects of aerobic dance exercise and honey supplementation, followed by their subsequent cessation on bone metabolism markers and antioxidant status in females. Methods: Forty-eight young female college students were assigned into four groups: i) 16S (16 weeks of sedentary activity); ii) 8E×8S (8 weeks of exercise followed by 8 weeks of sedentary activity); iii) 8H8S (8 weeks of honey supplementation followed by 8 weeks of sedentary activity) and iv) 8E×H8S (8 weeks of combined exercise and honey supplementation followed by 8 weeks of sedentary activity). Blood samples were collected from the participants prior to the intervention, at week 8 and at week 16 for the analysis of bone metabolism markers and antioxidant status. Results: At the mid test, bone speed of sound (SOS) (P < 0.01), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (P < 0.001) and serum osteocalcin (P < 0.01) were significantly higher in the 8E×H8S group as compared to 16S group. After 8 weeks of cessation of exercise and honey supplementation, bone SOS was also significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the 8E×H8S group as compared to 16S group. In addition, the serum total calcium (P < 0.001), serum ALP (P < 0.01), total antioxidant status (TAS) (P < 0.01) and glutathione (GSH) (P < 0.01) in the 8E×H8S group were significantly higher at the post-test as compared to their respective pre-test values. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that there was improved maintenance of the beneficial effects induced by 8 weeks of combined exercise and honey supplementation on bone properties and the antioxidant status after 8 weeks of cessation of exercise and honey supplementation as compared to exercise and honey supplementation alone.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Bee Products Potentially Reduce Oxidative Stress and Inflammation After Physical Activity/Exercise: A Systematic Review

“…The idea that bee products contain antioxidant properties is supported by a study conducted on mice reporting that honey intervention at doses of 4.6 and 9.2 g/kg for 7 days followed by lipopolysaccharide induction had the potential to reduce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Ranneh et al, 2021). In addition, a study conducted on young women reported that honey supplementation given at a dose of 20 g and dissolved in 300 mL water during aerobic exercise was effectively able to maintain bone health and antioxidant status triggered by exercise (Tavafzadeh et al, 2023). Furthermore, the results of this study were strengthened by research which reported that swimmers who were given bee product intervention in the form of royal jelly supplementation at a dose of 400 mg for 10 days had the potential to reduce oxidative stress and speed up recovery after training (Ovchinnikov et al, 2022).…”

Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods: A Comprehensive Review of Their Role in Bone Health

“…In 2012, a randomized controlled trial on 79 healthy postmenopausal women failed to demonstrate any difference in bone density after 4 months of 20 g daily supplementation of honey versus hormonal replacement therapy, but the study was limited by the small sample size and short duration, as changes in bone mass usually occur at a slow rate [ 152 ]. Three different studies investigated the effects of combined aerobic dance exercise and honey supplementation [ 153 , 154 , 155 ]. The first was conducted on young women: the combined aerobic dance exercise and supplement of 20 g/day honey showed the greatest effect in increasing serum BALP levels compared to the honey supplement or aerobic exercise alone [ 153 ].…”

“…The first was conducted on young women: the combined aerobic dance exercise and supplement of 20 g/day honey showed the greatest effect in increasing serum BALP levels compared to the honey supplement or aerobic exercise alone [ 153 ]. In another study on 46 young women, after 8 weeks of daily supplementation of 20 g honey and dance exercise, the highest increase in mean serum BALP and osteocalcin concentrations was observed, with a significant reduction in CTX serum levels [ 154 ]. In older women aged 25 to 40 years old, daily supplementation of 20 g honey for 8 weeks elevated serum total calcium level, whereas aerobic dance sessions alone increased cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (1CTP).…”