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Comparative efficacy of exercise training processes in improving nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Objectives

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of exercise training in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods

We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase for relevant research from January 2001 to December 2021. The efficacy of exercise training was analyzed.

Results

A total of 21 articles, involving 1733 patients, were included. Exercise training, including resistance training, aerobic exercise training, and high-intensity training, showed the efficacy in reducing weight (MD = 3.46, 95% CI [1.94, 4.98]), BMI (MD = 0.89, 95% CI [0.17, 1.61]), and ALT (MD = 6.66, 95% CI [3.27, 10.04]) and AST (MD = 3.14, 95% CI [0.35, 5.93]) levels in patients with NAFLD. When the exercise training lasted for ≥ 20 weeks, the total cholesterol (TC) (MD = 0.13, 95% CI [0.04, 0.22]), triglyceride (TG) (MD = 0.29, 95% CI [0.12, 0.47]), and blood glucose (GLU) (MD =  − 0.18, 95% CI [0.10, 0.26]) levels significantly reduced. Compared with the exercise training group, the exercise training combined with probiotics group showed more efficiency in reducing the ALT, AST, TG, and TC levels. However, the exercise training combined with a hypoglycemic agent group showed no obvious efficiency compared with the exercise training group.

Conclusion

Exercise training can improve NAFLD. The improvement was more obvious when exercise was performed for ≥ 20 weeks. Probiotics may enhance the efficiency of exercise training.

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Funding

This article was supported by Qingdao Science and Technology Benefit People Demonstration and Guidance Project (21–43-02–0016). Qingdao Science and Technology Benefit People Demonstration and Guidance Project,21–43-02–0016.

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  1. Xue Yu and Yan Wang have contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hepatology, The Sixth People’s Hospital of Qingdao, Fushun road, no 9, Shandong Province, 266033, China

    Xue Yu, Yan Wang, Jianming Lai, Ting Song & Jianping Duan

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  1. Xue Yu
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  2. Yan Wang
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  3. Jianming Lai
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X.Y and Y.W conduct preliminary search, extract information, calculate information, and write the paper. J.L revises the paper. W.H designs the experiment. J.D approves the final version.

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Correspondence to Jianping Duan.

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Yu, X., Wang, Y., Lai, J. et al. Comparative efficacy of exercise training processes in improving nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ir J Med Sci 192, 131–142 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-022-02988-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-022-02988-x

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