Research in Sports Medicine and Technology

Effects of Eight Weeks High-Intensity Interval Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Non-Invasive Liver Injury, Body Composition, and Metabolic Indices in Middle-Aged Women with MAFLD

Articles in Press

Authors

Sepideh Jafariyan 1
Amirabbas Monazzami 1
Tuoraj Ahmadijouybari 2
Kheirollah Yari Khalilani 2

1 - Razi University of Kermanshah

2 Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences

Abstract
Abstract

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disorder. Aerobic exercise is a key non-pharmacological strategy for MAFLD management, yet the impact of different training intensities remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on non-invasive liver indices, body composition, and metabolic markers in middle-aged women with MAFLD.

Methods: In this clinical trial, 41 women with MAFLD (41.39 ± 6.16 years; BMI: 32.14 ± 3.36 kg/m²) were randomly assigned to HIIT, MICT, or control groups. MICT involved 30–45 minutes at 60–70% heart rate reserve, while HIIT included 4–6 bouts of 30 seconds at 50–100–110% of maximal aerobic speed. Body composition (weight, BMI, BAI, ABSI), steatosis (HSI, FSI, LFS), fibrosis (NFS, NRS, FIB-4, FIB-5, APRI), and metabolic indices (LAP, CMI) were measured before and after the intervention. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and GLMRM (p < 0.05).

Results: Both HIIT and MICT significantly reduced weight, BMI, BAI, and LFS. ABSI increased in control. HSI decreased following HIIT, while FSI decreased after MICT. Among fibrosis indices, only FIB-5 showed a significant reduction in MICT compared to HIIT, and NRS decreased in MICT compared to control. LAP decreased in both training groups relative to control, whereas CMI decreased only in MICT.

Conclusion: Although MICT demonstrated superiority in certain parameters, HIIT elicited comparable effects in a shorter duration and may represent an efficient strategy for the clinical management of MAFLD.

Keywords

Liver Function Tests
Body Composition
steatosis
fibrosis
metabolism
Diagnostic Techniques
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Research in Sports Medicine and Technology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 23 October 2019