Effect of High Intensity Exercise Rehabilitation on Liver Function, Insulin Sensitivity, and Cardiovascular Risk in Patients With MASLD

What this Trial Is About

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common liver disease worldwide and is linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome. This trial compares two types of combined exercise training programs to study their effects on liver fat severity and related health factors. The research aims to explore how strength and aerobic training versus strength and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) impact liver health and insulin sensitivity in MASLD patients. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group exercises with a combination of strength and aerobic training for 14 weeks, including twice-weekly sessions at the rehabilitation center and one at home. The other group starts with 6 weeks of combined strength and aerobic training, then switches to 8 weeks of combined strength and HIIT, following the same session schedule. Each session lasts about one hour. Throughout the 14-week program, participants undergo assessments before and after training to measure liver fat by ultrasound and CAP, insulin sensitivity, liver enzymes, exercise capacity, strength, cardiovascular function, body measurements, inflammation markers, and quality of life. Researchers monitor progress and health changes with these tests to evaluate the effects of the exercise interventions on MASLD. The study is conducted at the university hospital and rehabilitation center in Ghent.

Effect of High Intensity Exercise Rehabilitation on Liver Function and Insulin Sensitivity in Patients With MASLD