Aerobic training performed at ventilatory threshold improves liver enzymes and lipid profile related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in adolescents with obesity. Issue 4 (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Lira, Camila TC; dos Santos, Marcos AM; Gomes, Priscyla P; Fidelix, Yara L; dos Santos, Ana CO; Tenório, Thiago RS; Lofrano-Prado, Mara C; do Prado, Wagner L
• Other Names: Gualano Bruno guest-editor.; Cyrino Edilson S guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Nutrition and health. Volume 23:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 281
• Page End: 288
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Exercise -- lipid profile -- insulin resistance -- liver disease -- physical activity; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Diet -- Periodicals; Diet therapy -- Periodicals; 613.205
• DOI: 10.1177/0260106017720350
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0260-1060

Abstract

Background: Despite the positive effects of high-intensity training on weight management and health-related outcomes, it is postulated that high-intensity training may also induce oxidative stress, increasing hepatic damage. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of low versus high-intensity training on biomarkers related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adolescents with obesity. Methods: For this study 107 adolescents (15 ± 1 years) with obesity (BMI = 34.7 ± 4.1 kg/m 2 ) were randomized into High-Intensity Training (HIT, n = 31), Low-Intensity Training (LIT, n = 31) or Control Group (CG, n = 45). Adolescents from HIT and LIT received nutritional, psychological and clinical counseling. Blood lipids, Castelli risk index, glucose, insulin and hepatic enzymes were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks. Results: Castelli risk index 1 was reduced in all groups ( p < 0.001) with moderate effect size ( d ) for HIT ( d = 0.62) and LIT ( d = 0.66). Castelli risk index 2 also decreased ( p < 0.001 for all groups; HIT d = 0.65; LIT d = 0.79). High-density lipoprotein increased in all groups ( d = 0.25 and d = 0.18 in HIT and LIT), while alanine aminotransferase tended to reduce ( p = 0.062) in HIT ( d = 0.34) and LIT ( d = 0.73) and aspartate aminotransferase decreased ( p = 0.024) in both HIT ( d = 0.24) and LIT ( d = 0.45). There were no changes in glucose, insulin and insulin resistance. Conclusion: Both high and low-intensity training improved biomarkers related to NAFLD. Thus, high-intensity training can be a safe and effective alternative to prevent and treat NAFLD in adolescents with obesity.