The Impact of Different Exercise Modes on Bile Acid Levels and Liver Function in Patients With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Xuzhou Medical University40 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this clinical trial is to investigate which exercise regimen is more effective in improving non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a young population. The primary questions it aims to answer are: Does aerobic training, resistance training, or a combination of both help improve liver function and glycemic and lipid parameters in NAFLD patients? Which of these three exercise regimens is more effective in improving the aforementioned parameters? Is the improvement in liver function related to bile acid metabolism? Participants will: Engage in physical exercise 4-5 times per week for two consecutive months, following a predefined exercise regimen. Have blood samples collected to test for glucose, lipids, liver function, and other parameters before starting the exercise program and after two months of completing the regimen.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease NAFLD

Interventions

An exercise program was developed by a full-time physical education teacher, with all group exercises conducted at the outdoor track and field facility of Xuzhou Medical University. Participants in the aerobic training group, after completing a warm-up, were required to perform moderate-intensity aerobic running for 60 minutes per session, 4-5 times a week. The exercise intensity was set to reach 50%-70% of the maximum heart rate (Maximum heart rate = 220 - age). The exercise sessions were scheduled in the evening after dinner, from 17:30 to 19:00.All participants were continuously intervened for 8 weeks.

Resistance training (RT)BEHAVIORAL

Participants in the resistance training group were required to complete moderate-intensity resistance exercises 4-5 times per week. Each session included a warm-up, followed by exercises such as knee lifts with torso twists, knee-to-hand taps under the hips, jumping jacks, burpees, sit-ups, planks, and squats. The routine was structured to perform 5-6 exercises per session, with 6-8 repetitions for each set. There was a 30-second rest interval between sets, and the total exercise time was 60 minutes. The timing for these exercise sessions was the same as for the AT group, conducted in the evening after dinner.All participants were continuously intervened for 8 weeks.

Combined aerobic and resistance training (AT + RT)BEHAVIORAL

Participants in the combined aerobic and resistance training (AT+RT) group started their sessions with a warm-up, followed by 30 minutes of aerobic running. After the aerobic training, they engaged in resistance training. The resistance training regimen was the same as that for the RT group, except that the duration of the resistance training was shorter. The total duration of the exercise session was 60 minutes.All participants were continuously intervened for 8 weeks.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 23 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Body fat percentage \>20% or BMI \>24 * The diagnostic result of abdominal ultrasonography is fatty liver * No regular exercise under guidance in the past 3 months * No medication taken in the last month * No binge eating or heavy drinking in the past two weeks Exclusion Criteria: * Long history of alcohol consumption, equivalent to more than 30g/day of ethanol * Viral hepatitis * History of autoimmune or genetic diseases * History of drug-induced liver disease * History of total parenteral nutrition * History of cardiovascular, respiratory, or other diseases that necessitate avoidance of intense physical activity.