The Effect of Resistance- Aerobic Interval Training on the Fatty Liver Grade, Liver Dimensions, and Liver Enzymes in Obese or Overweight Women with Fatty Liver

Obesity is one of the causative factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Therefore, therapeutic strategies such as physical activity are useful in its prevention and treatment. The present study aims to investigate the effect of combined training on fatty liver grade, liver dimensions, and liver enzymes in obese or overweight women with fatty liver.

In the present semi-experimental research, 22 women with fatty liver in Shahrood in 2018 were purposefully selected and randomly divided into two equal training and control groups. Training group performed Aerobic Interval Training (2-5 sets of 4 minutes, the intensity of 70-75% of HR
max,
2 minutes active rest) with resistance training (6 stations with 8-12 repetitions, 2-4 circuits) for 12 weeks, 3 times a week. The control group did not perform any activity during this period. Body composition, ultrasound, and blood samples were measured before and after 12 weeks of training. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA.

The results showed that 12 weeks of combined training significantly reduced dimension and grade of the fatty liver compared with the control group (p<0/001 and p=0/009, respectively); further, a nonsignificant decrease was observed in Alanine Amino Transferees levels. The effect of combined training on weight and body mass index was not significant.

Given that the combined training program (resistance and aerobic interval) of the present study reduced liver fat independent of weight loss, women with fatty liver may be able to use this program as an adjunct non-pharmacological treatment to improve fatty liver.