Improvement of Aerobic Power and Health Status in Overweight Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with High Intensity Interval Training

Background and aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of six weeks high intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate intensity continuous training on health status in over weight males with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Materials and Methods: Thirty overweight males with NAFLD were randomly divided into three groups included control (n=10), HIIT group (n=10), continuous training (CT) group (n=10). The HIIT included four sets of two minutes running with a 90-95% heart rate reserve and 3 minutes of active rest between each set; every week, a repeat was added to the workout. Continuous aerobic training included 20 minutes of running with an intensity of 70-85% heart rate reserve, which every week was added five minutes to the workout. Aerobic power, liver enzymes and lipid profiles were measured in serum by valid tools and data analyzed by co-variancetest. Results: After six weeks of training program, the serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, lipid profiles and degree of fatty liver sonography improved significantly in the experimental groups compared to the control group (P< 0/05). Increased HDL and decreased LDL, total Cholesterol, AST and ALT levels in HIIT group were significantly than the CT group (P<0/05). The improvement in maximum oxygen uptake was only significant in HIIT group than other groups (P<0/05). Conclusion: Base on finding, HIIT compare with continuous training by better effects on aerobic power, lipid profiles and reduction of liver enzymes can be a good choice for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver.