Abstract

Abstract Background Physical characteristics including body size and configuration, are considered as one of the key influences on the optimum performance in athletes. Despite several analyzing methods for modeling the slimming estimation in terms of reduction in anthropometric indices, there are still weaknesses of these models such as being very demanding including time taken for analysis and accuracy. Objective This research proposes a novel approach for determining the slimming effect of a herbal composition as a natural medicine for weight loss. Methods To build an effective prediction model, a modern hybrid approach, merging adaptivenetwork- based fuzzy inference system and particle swarm optimization (ANFIS-PSO) was constructed for prediction of changes in anthropometric indices including waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, thigh circumference and mid-upper arm circumference, on female athletes after consumption of caraway extract during ninety days clinical trial. Results The outcomes showed that caraway extract intake was effective on lowering all anthropometric indices in female athletes after ninety days trial. The results of analysis by ANFIS-PSO was more accurate compared to SPSS. Also, the efficiency of the proposed approach was confirmed using the existing data. Conclusions It is concluded that a development in predictive accuracy and simplification capability could be attained by hybrid adaptive neuro-fuzzy techniques as modern approaches in detecting changes in body characteristics. These developed techniques could be more useful and valid than other conventional analytical methods for clinical applications.