Effect of Pilates Training on Hepatic Fat Content and Liver Enzymes in Men with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is associated with fat accumulation and deposition in liver cells, is a serious risk factor for other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Pilates training on the hepatic fat content and liver enzymes in middle-aged men with NAFLD.

20 middle-aged men with NAFLD were randomly divided into Pilates training and control groups. The Pilates group participated in the Pilates training program for eight weeks. The body composition, anthropometric indices, liver fat content, and serum levels of ALT, AST and ALP were measured before and after the training period. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and independent t-test at a significance level of 0.05.

After eight weeks of Pilates training, the liver fat content in the Pilates group was significantly lower than that of the control group. Also, the serum levels of ALT, AST, and ALP significantly decreased in the Pilates group, compared to the controls. In addition, eight weeks of Pilates training significantly reduced the body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat percentage, and waist-to-hip ratio of patients, while no significant changes were observed in the control group.

The results of the present study indicated that Pilates training could be effective in improving the liver fat content and reducing the serum levels of ALT, AST, and ALP in middle-aged men with NAFLD.