Exercise Training as Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a growing health epidemic in developed countries with increased prevalence in obese and diabetic populations. Exercise is an established and essential component of lifestyle modification for NAFLD disease management. Despite numerous studies reporting exercise-mediated improvements in NAFLD, there remains a large gap in our knowledge of how to optimize exercise prescriptions and whether the benefits of exercise extend beyond improvements in liver fat. In this review, we summarize studies that have investigated the independent effects of exercise training on liver enzymes, hepatic fat, and histologic markers in NAFLD. Overall, 12-weeks of aerobic, resistance, the combination of aerobic and resistance, and novel training modalities, including acceleration and hybrid training, significantly improve liver enzymes and hepatic fat. The greatest benefits in NAFLD may occur through the combination of aerobic and resistance training that targets both cardiorespiratory fitness, and mediators of skeletal muscle, known as myokines. Understanding the role of myokines in the beneficial effects of exercise in NAFLD may identify future therapeutic targets that can be modified with tailored exercise prescriptions.

1. Introduction

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) encompasses a clinicopathologic spectrum of disorders ranging from isolated hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) to more progressive nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), characterized histologically by the presence of necroinflammation, ballooned hepatocytes, and hepatic fibrosis. NAFLD now affects 15–30% of the general population, with an increased incidence in obese and diabetic populations [1,2]. Of those with NAFLD, 25% will go on to develop NASH, thereby conferring an increased risk for progressive hepatic fibrosis, the primary determinant of liver related morbidity and mortality for patients with NASH [1,3]. Currently, there are no FDA-approved pharmacologic therapies for NAFL and NASH. Diet and exercise strategies targeting weight loss through an energy deficit remain the cornerstone of disease management [4,5]. Diet-and exercise-induced weight loss >5% total body weight improves NAFLD and reverses hepatic necroinflammation and fibrosis [6]. Weight loss, however, is challenging and unsustainable for the majority of patients [7]. Only 50% of patients with NAFLD will achieve histological improvement with weight loss and ~77% will regain weight within three years after a lifestyle intervention [7,8]. While weight loss has remained fundamental to disease management, the benefits of exercise extend beyond weight loss alone. Exercise improves NAFLD independent of weight loss, however, the optimal exercise dose and pathophysiologic mechanisms by which exercise confers improvement in NAFLD remains unknown [9,10,11,12]. The practice guidelines for the management of NAFLD of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) recommends exercise; however, no specific approach or duration of exercise is otherwise detailed for practitioners [13]. The majority of exercise interventions in NAFLD have employed the American College of Sports Medicine physical activity guidelines for healthy adults—at least 150 min per week of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 min per week of vigorous intensity exercise, with resistance training twice per week on non-consecutive days [14]. These recommendations are appropriate given the current available evidence, however, individualized exercise prescriptions which lend the most optimal therapeutic benefit in NAFLD have yet to be identified. Our aim is to review and evaluate the available evidence of the independent effects of exercise in NAFLD and provide recommendations for improving exercise interventions as a treatment of NAFLD.

2. Exercise Training in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

2.1. Aerobic Training

The American College of Sports Medicine defines aerobic training as any activity using large muscle groups; is rhythmic in nature; and, can be continuously maintained [15]. Aerobic exercise training relies primarily on skeletal muscle’s utilization of oxygen through aerobic respiration to produce energy, in the form of adenosine tri-phosphate or ATP [16]. The gold-standard for measuring physiologic adaptation to aerobic training is maximal aerobic capacity, VO_2max, a measure of cardiorespiratory fitness. VO₂ is a strong independent predictor of lifestyle-mediated reductions in intrahepatic fat in NAFLD [17]. Similarly, a recent 16-week study of supervised exercise training in NAFLD found that exercise-mediated improvements in VO_2max and liver fat occurred in the absence of weight loss; both were reversed after 12 months of exercise cessation [18]. Changes in VO₂ and aerobic training-mediated improvements in NAFLD are theoretically linked. Thus, VO_2max may serve both as a predictive biomarker of the exercise response and a biomarker of NAFLD disease severity. More studies will be required to address the underlying mechanisms between the improvements in exercise capacity and reductions in intrahepatic fat.

Nine randomized control trials and four uncontrolled studies have investigated the effects of aerobic training in NAFLD (

Table 1. Published Exercise Interventions in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (2011–2017).

Reference	Number of Patients	Patient Population	Study Design	Type of Exercise	Relevant Liver Measurements	Exercise Protocol
Sullivan et al. 2012 [9]	33	NAFLD patients. 72% female.	RCT	Aerobic	IHTG	Exercise modality: Walking
						Frequency of exercise: 5×/week, gradual increase to 30–60 min/session
						Exercise intensity: 45–55% of VO2 peak
Pugh et al. 2013 [19]	13	NAFLD patients	RCT	Aerobic	% Liver fat; ALT; AST	Exercise modality: Unknown
						Frequency of exercise: 3 to eventually 5×/week, 30 to eventually 45 min/session
						Exercise intensity: 30% to eventually 60% of HRR
Pugh et al. 2014 [20]	31	NAFLD patients	RCT	Aerobic	%Liver fat; ALT; AST	Exercise modality: Treadmill and cycle ergometer
						Frequency of exercise: 3 to eventually 5×/week, 30 to eventually 45 min/session
						Exercise intensity: 30% to eventually 60% HRR
Cuthbertson et al. 2016 [21]	69	NAFLD patients	RCT	Aerobic	IHCL; ALT; AST	Exercise modality: Treadmill, cross-trainer, bike ergometer, rower
						Frequency of exercise: 3 to eventually 5×/week, 30 to eventually 45 min/session
						Exercise intensity: 30% to eventually 60% HRR
Fealy et al. 2012 [25]	13	NAFLD patients	Non-RCT	Aerobic	IHL; ALT	Exercise modality: Treadmill walking
						Frequency of exercise: 60 min/per day for 7 days in a row
						Exercise intensity: 80–85% MHR
Haus et al. 2013 [26]	17	NAFLD patients	Non-RCT	Aerobic	HTG	Exercise modality: Treadmill walking
						Frequency of exercise: 60 min/per day for 7 days in a row
						Exercise intensity: 80–85% MHR
Sreenivasa Baba et al. 2006 [27]	65	NASH patients	Non-RCT	Aerobic	TG; ALT; AST	Exercise modality: Brisk walking, jogging or rhythmic aerobic exercises set to beat music
						Frequency of exercise: 45 min/day for at least 5×/week
						Exercise intensity: 60–70% of MHR (for at least 20 min)
Zhang et al. 2016 [22]	220	NAFLD patients. 68% female.	RCT	Aerobic	IHTG	Vigorous-moderate:
						Exercise modality: Treadmill
						Frequency of exercise: 5×/week, 30 min/session.
						Exercise intensity: 65–80% of MPHR for 6-months (8–10 METs), 45–55% of MPHR for last 6 months (3–6 METs)
						Moderate intensity:
						Exercise modality: Treadmill
						Frequency of exercise: 5×/week, 30 min/session.
						Exercise intensity: 45–55% of MPHR for 12 months (3–6 METs)
Khaoshbaten et al. 2013 [28]	90	NAFLD patients. 63% male.	Non-RCT	Aerobic	TG; ALT; AST	No specified exercise prescription
Bacchi et al. 2013 [23]	40	Type 2 diabetes patients with NAFLD	RCT	Aerobic and Resistance	TG; ALT; AST	Aerobic:
						Exercise modality: Treadmill, cycle, elliptical
						Frequency of exercise: 3×/week, 60 min/session
						Exercise intensity: 60–65% HRR
						Resistance
						Exercise modality: 9 different exercises involving major muscle groups
						Frequency of exercise: 3×/week. 3sets/10reps per exercise with 1 min recovery between sets
						Exercise intensity: 70–80% of 1RM
Shamsoddini et al. 2015 [10]	30	NAFLD patients. 100% male.	RCT	Aerobic and Resistance	Liver fat; ALT; AST	Aerobic
						Exercise modality: Treadmill
						Frequency of exercise: 3×/week, 45 min/per session
						Exercise intensity: 60–75% MHR
						Resistance
						Exercise modality: Circuit training
						Frequency of exercise: 3×/week, 2 to eventually 3 circuits/per session, 90 s rest in between circuits
						Exercise intensity: 50% to eventually 70% of 1RM
Oh et al. 2017 [11]	61	NAFLD patients. 100% male.	RCT	Aerobic and Resistance	Liver fat; IHL; TG; ALT; AST	High-intensity Aerobic:
						Exercise modality: Cycling
						Frequency of exercise: 3×/week, 3 sets of 3-min cycling sessions, 2 min rest (at a lower VO2 Max)
						Exercise intensity: 80–85% VO2 Max (50% VO2 Max during rest)
						Moderate-intensity continuous training:
						Exercise modality: Cycling
						Frequency of exercise: 3×/week, 40 min/session
						Exercise intensity: 60–65% VO2 Max
						Resistance:
						Exercise modality: Sit-ups, leg presses, leg extensions, leg curls, chest presses, seated rows, and pull-downs
						Frequency of exercise: 3×/week
						Exercise intensity: No specific mention
Damor et al. 2013 [43]	32	NAFLD patients. 71% male.	Non-RCT	Resistance	Liver fat; TG; ALT; AST	Exercise modality: Body weight exercise—flexion at biceps, triceps, and hip flexion, knee extension and heel rise.
						Frequency of exercise: 3×/week, 2 sets/10 reps
						Exercise intensity: Starting at 1kg less than 3RM, .5kg was added after each week
Zelber-Sagi et al. 2014 [39]	82	NAFLD patients	RCT	Resistance	TG; ALT; AST	Exercise modality: Exercises included—leg press, leg extension, leg curl, seated chest press, seated rowing, latissimus pull down, biceps curl and shoulder press
						Frequency of exercise: 3×/week, 3 sets/8–12 reps with 1–2 min rest between sets, for a total duration of about 40 min.
						Exercise intensity: %1RM unspecified, load gradually increased 2–10% per week
Takahashi et al. 2015 [44]	53	NAFLD patients	Non-RCT	Resistance	Liver fat	Exercise modality: Body weight-slow-controlled push-ups and squat
						Frequency of exercise: 3×/week, 3 sets/10 push-ups and 3 sets/10 squats at 1-min intervals per set over a period of 20–30 min
						Exercise intensity: N/A
Jakovljevic et al. 2013 [40]	17	NAFLD patients. 71% male.	RCT	Resistance	TG; ALT	Exercise modality: Circuit training
						Frequency of exercise: 3×/week, 2 to eventually 3 circuits, 45–60 min
						Exercise intensity: 50% to eventually 70% 1RM
Hallsworth et al. 2011 [41]	19	NAFLD patients	RCT	Resistance	IHL	Exercise modality: Circuit training
						Frequency of exercise: 3×/week, 2 to eventually 3 circuits, 45–60 min
						Exercise intensity: 50% to eventually 70% 1RM
Hickman et al. 2013 [42]	21	NAFLD and NASH patients	RCT	Resistance	ALT; Fasting TG	Exercise modality: Circuit training
						Frequency of exercise: 3×/week, 1 circuit to eventually 5 circuits, 12 to eventually 60 min/session
						Exercise intensity: Fixed at 50% of 1RM
Houghton et al. 2017 [12]	24	NASH patients	RCT	Combination	HTG; ALT; AST	Exercise modality: High-intensity interval training (cycling) and resistance training
						Frequency of exercise: 3×/week. 45–60 min/session
						Exercise intensity: Cycling at RPE between 16 to 18, resistance exercise at RPE between 14 to 16
Shojaee-Moradie et al. 2016 [46]	27	NAFLD patients	RCT	Combination	IHCL; TG; ALT; AST	Exercise modality: Gym or outdoor-based aerobic training and resistance training
						Frequency of exercise: 4–5×/week, 20 to eventually 60 min
						Exercise intensity: 40–60% HRR
Oh et al. 2014 [48]	18	NAFLD patients	Non-RCT	Acceleration training	Liver fat; TG; ALT; AST	Exercise modality: Acceleration training
						Frequency of exercise: 2×/week, 40 min/session
						Exercise intensity: Movement session with four stretches, at a frequency of 30 Hz, amplitude low, for 30 s and two sets for each exercise; Strength and power session which utilized larger muscle group contraction, at a frequency of 30–35 Hz, amplitude low, for 30 s and two sets for each exercise; Massage session at a frequency of 40 Hz, amplitude high, for 60 s and two sets for each exercise.
Kawaguchi et al. 2011 [49]	35	NAFLD patients	Non-RCT	Hybrid training	TG; ALT; AST	Exercise modality: Hybrid training.
						Frequency of exercise: 2x/week, 10 sets/10 reciprocal 3-s knee flexion and extension contractions, 1 min rest between sets, 19 min/day
						Exercise intensity: Electrical stimulation intensity was set at a level of 20–25 consecutive knee flexions and extensions

RCT: Randomized control trial; Non-RCT: Non-randomized control trial; TG: Triglycerides; HTG: Hepatic triglyceride content; IHTG: Intrahepatic triglyceride content; IHCL: Intrahepatocellular lipid; IHL: Intrahepatic lipid; IHTG: Intrahepatic triglyceride content; HRR: Heart rate reserve; MHR: Maximum Heart Rate; VO₂ peak/max: Maximal oxygen consumption; RM: Repetition maximum; RPE: Rate of perceived exertion.

) [9,10,11,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28]. All of the studies included at least one aerobic training experimental group, with three studies containing multiple aerobic training groups of differing exercise intensities [11,22,24]. Maximum heart rate (MHR), heart rate reserve (HRR), maximal predicted heart rate (MPHR), metabolic equivalent of task (MET), or VO_2max were used to determine exercise intensity prescriptions—where intensities range from light to moderate (30–39% of HRR, 57–63% of HRR, 2.0–3.9 METs, and 37–45% of VO_2max) moderate (40–59% of HRR, 64–76% of HRR, 4.0–5.9 METs, and 46–63% of VO_2max), and vigorous (60–89% of HRR, 77–95% of HRR, 6.0–8.4 METs, and 64–90% of VO_2max) [9,10,11,19,20,21,22,24,26,27,29]. Exercise modalities included recreational walking, treadmill running, cycle ergometry, cross-training, rowing, and rhythmic exercise [10,11,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27]. Six studies used single modality exercise, while four studies used a multitude of exercise modalities [9,10,11,20,21,22,23,25,26,27]. Only two studies did not specify aerobic training. Exercise intervention lengths ranged from one week to one year, with the most commonly used duration as 16-weeks [9,19,20,21,22,23,25,26,28]. Frequency of exercise dosage ranged from three times per week for 30 min per day to seven times per week for 60 min per day [19,20,21,25,26]. Only three studies included more than 30 participants in at least one intervention group [21,22,28]. To date, all of the exercise intervention studies for NAFLD/NASH are limited by small sample size and insufficient samples size by which to assess improvement in hepatic fibrosis.

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) are enzymes used to monitor liver injury, and may be elevated in the blood of patients with NAFLD [30]. Although liver enzymes are insensitive markers of liver injury in NASH, a decrease in liver aminotransferases with treatment interventions may correlate histologic improvement in liver injury [31,32]. Overall, aerobic training reduces both systemic levels of ALT and AST [9,10,11,19,25,27,28]. Shamsoddini et al. showed that moderate-intensity treadmill running significantly improved mean ALT from 36.9 ± 16.4 U/L to 24.4 ± 7.2 U/L, p = 0.002; and improved AST from 29.7 ± 9.0 U/L to 20.9 ± 4.4 U/L, p = 0.02 in an eight-week aerobic training intervention in 10 ultrasound-confirmed NAFLD patients [10]. A larger nonrandomized trial by Sreenivasa Baba et al. indicated that in 59 participants with biopsy-proven NASH, three-months of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (walking, jogging, or rhythmic exercise) significantly reduced ALT (pre 104.0 ± 40.5 U/L, post 63.2 ± 40.7 U/L, p < 0.001) and AST (pre 70.5 ± 45.8 U/L, post 41.5 ± 22.6 U/L, p < 0.001) [27]. Additionally, Sreenivasa Baba et al. indicated that the effects of aerobic training on ALT and AST were independent of weight loss. Overall, the available evidence suggests that 8–12 weeks of aerobic training improves ALT and AST levels in patients with NAFLD or NASH. However, normal ALT values have been observed across the spectrum of NAFLD, and caution should be used when interpreting whether AST and ALT are appropriate surrogate markers for assessing changes in NAFLD with exercise training [33,34,35]. Additional non-invasive measurements, such as ultrasound-based techniques may provide a better method to monitor changes in liver fat when determining the efficacy of exercise on NAFLD progression [36,37].

Aerobic training significantly reduces hepatic fat content 3–43%, with three studies indicating significant reductions independent of clinically meaningful weight loss [9,10,11,21,22,23,28]. However, it remains unclear whether intensity, volume, and/or frequency should be emphasized to optimize reductions in intrahepatic fat. A retrospective observational study by Kistler et al. of self-reported physical activity and its association with NAFLD histopathology suggests that vigorous intensity exercise, regardless of volume, reduces the risk of NAFLD severity [38]. However, Keating et al. investigated the role of exercise intensity and volume on hepatic fat in NAFLD; among 48 obese sedentary adults, differing exercise intensities and dosages had minimal nonsignificant changes on liver fat [24]. Testing the specific role of intensity and duration, Oh et al. indicated that, among 61 male NAFLD patients randomized to 12 weeks of moderate-intensity continuous cycling or vigorous-intensity interval cycling, both groups had similar significant reductions in intrahepatic fat (13.7% in vigorous-intensity interval training, 14.3% in moderate-intensity continuous) despite differing exercise energy expenditure (180 kcal, 360 kcal) and exercise duration (13 min, 40 min) [11]. Addressing the role of short-duration exercise, Haus et al. showed that vigorous-intensity treadmill running for seven consecutive days resulted in non-significant changes in intrahepatic fat levels in 13 MRI-confirmed NAFLD patients [25]. Thus, 12 weeks of moderate to vigorous intensity exercise, 3 days per week may be the minimum required dose to improve hepatic fat in NAFLD. Further studies evaluating differing intensities and frequencies within this framework on intrahepatic fat are needed to determine optimal prescriptions in NAFLD.

2.2. Resistance Training

Resistance training has been widely studied as exercise interventions in NAFLD, however it is perhaps the least understood out of all the types of exercise training for this indication. While aerobic training adaptations are typically measured via VO₂, there are no gold standard measurements for assessing the resistance training adaptations. By targeting specific muscle fiber types (slow-twitch Type I, fast-twitch Type II) and energy systems (creatine-phosphate, glycolytic, aerobic), various resistance training prescriptions can elicit different physiologic effects and adaptations to skeletal muscle. This concept has not been well implemented in NAFLD, as specific resistance training protocols have not been aligned with muscle-related outcome measures. For example, improvements in lean muscle mass, absolute strength, or changes in skeletal muscle fiber type with resistance training protocols in NAFLD trials have rarely been measured or assessed as predictive outcomes. Thus, without confirmation that muscular endurance protocols led to changes in strength or muscle fiber type conversion; or muscular hypertrophy protocols led to increases in muscle mass; it is difficult to interpret whether the specific resistance training protocols actually lead to changes in NAFLD-specific outcomes. Moving forward, it will be important to link resistance training protocols with the intended effects in skeletal muscle phenotypes.

Seven randomized controlled trials and two non-randomized controlled trials measured the effects of resistance training in NAFLD [10,11,23,39,40,41,42,43,44]. Six studies used machine-based resistance training; one resistance machines and body weight; one utilized solely the participant’s body weight; and, one weighted-belts [10,11,23,39,40,41,42,43,44]. Of the six studies, two utilized hypertrophy protocols; one study did not specify the % 1-Repetition Maximum (RM) used; two did not mention the amount of repetitions prescribed; and, one did not specify the type of resistance training prescribed [10,11,23,39,42]. Most studies followed the general recommendation to increase resistance weight by 2–10% after one or two repetitions completed over the prescribed amount; however, three studies maintained resistance throughout the intervention [14,23,42,44]. Intervention durations have ranged from eight weeks to six months, with the most common duration as 12 weeks [10,11,39,40,41,42,43,44]. Resistance training protocols were conducted three times per week on nonconsecutive days to allow adequate time for muscle recovery and to minimize overtraining. As with aerobic training, sample sizes have been small, with only two studies containing at least one group with 30 or more participants [39,44].

Similar to aerobic training, the current available evidence suggests that resistance training significantly reduces ALT and AST in NAFLD [10,39]. Reductions ranged from between 5.30 and 14.7 U/L in ALT and 2.76 to 5.1 U/L in AST. However, caution should be used when interpreting ALT and AST levels following resistance training; a previous study found significantly elevated liver enzymes up to seven days post-weightlifting in 15 men [45]. Five studies have indicated that resistance training reduces hepatic fat content 4% to 47.2%, with three trials indicating reductions independent of weight loss [10,11,40,41,43]. Hallsworth et al. showed that in 19 MRI-confirmed NAFLD patients, eight-weeks of Precor circuit training three times per week for 45 min per session led to a 13% reduction in hepatic fat independent of weight loss [41]. In contrast, Hickman et al. found non-significant changes in liver fat following 6-months of circuit training [42]. Additionally, in patients with pre and post liver biopsies, Hickman et al. showed that resistance training led to non-significant changes in liver histology and NAFLD Activity Score, a histological scoring system for NAFLD. However, there was no control group as a comparator and only nine patients had follow-up liver biopsies. Overall, resistance training effects on NASH are comparable to aerobic training, but further studies are needed using differing resistance training protocols to delineate the optimal dosage.

2.3. Aerobic and Resistance Combination Training

Two clinical trials have utilized combination training in NASH and NAFLD [12,46]. Houghton et al. conducted a 12-week randomized trial in 24 biopsy-confirmed NASH patients; participants in the exercise arm completed three intervals of cycling for two min with one-minute rest in between each interval; followed by resistance exercises of hip and knee extension, horizontal row, chest press, vertical row, and knee extension [12]. The Borg rate of perceived exertion (RPE) scale was utilized to determine intensity [47]. The aerobic portion of the exercise protocol brought participants to an RPE between 16 and 18 (very hard), while the resistance portion brought participants to an RPE of between 14 and 16 (hard). This exercise regimen was conducted on three non-consecutive days per week, resulting in a 16% reduction in hepatic triglyceride content, independent of weight loss. There was no impact on ALT, AST, or metabolic variables. Shojaee-Moradie et al. conducted a 16-week randomized trial on 27 ultrasound-confirmed NAFLD patients. 15 participants in the exercise arm completed either gym-based or outdoor aerobic training, followed by resistance training-specific exercises that were not reported. Participants were brought to an intensity of 40–60% of HRR for 20 min, which was slowly increased to an hour, four and five times per week for 16 weeks. Results indicated a significant inter-group reduction in intrahepatocellular fat by 19.6%. Combination training may provide a novel opportunity to provide a catch-all exercise protocol for targeting NAFLD patients that have greater beneficial responses to either resistance training or aerobic training.

2.4. Novel Training Regimens

Novel training modalities are exercise training considered neither aerobic nor resistance training. Two tested in NAFLD are acceleration [48] and hybrid training [49]. Acceleration training is a form of Whole-Body Vibration (WBV): energy from an external device is transferred via vibration to the human body at differing frequencies. Acceleration training entails “a physical stimulation effect on skeletal muscles by increasing gravitational acceleration with vibration” [48]. Hybrid training is the electrical stimulation of an agonist muscle to one being contracted voluntarily. Oh et al. conducted a 12-week acceleration training trial on 18 patients with ultrasound-confirmed NAFLD who showed an increase in serum ALT levels and liver fat after 12 weeks of lifestyle intervention. Acceleration training consists of three sessions: (1) a movement session with four stretches, at a frequency of 30 Hz, amplitude low, for 30 s and two sets for each exercise; (2) a strength and power session, which utilized larger muscle group contraction at a frequency of 30–35 Hz, amplitude low, for 30 s and two sets for each exercise; and, (3) a session focusing on massage, at a frequency of 40 Hz, amplitude high, for 60 s and two sets for each exercise. Acceleration training sessions were conducted twice a week. Results indicated a reduction in hepatic fat by 8.7% and an improvement in ALT by 47.6% (95% CI, 33.0 (20.0–53.0), to 22.5 (18.0–43.0), p < 0.05) independent of weight loss. There were no significant effects on metabolic variables or AST. Interestingly, cross-sectional area of skeletal muscle increased in the quadriceps. Interestingly, Oh et al. demonstrated that while lifestyle counseling through diet and physical activity should be prioritized, an exercise intervention might provide additional hepatic benefit for those patients unable to implement lifestyle modification.

Kawaguchi et al. conducted a 12-week study on 35 NAFLD patients that had previously shown an increase in ALT levels and hepatic steatosis after an initial lifestyle intervention. Participants were subsequently randomized into a hybrid training group (n = 12) or a control group (n = 23). During hybrid training, “electrodes were placed on the motor points of the medial and lateral hamstrings”. Participants then performed 10 repetitions of three-second knee flexion and extension twice per week. Results indicated that hybrid training significant reduction ALT (−14.1 ± 5.8 IU/mL, p < 0.05) and hepatic steatosis grade (−0.67 ± 0.19 grade, p < 0.01) when compared to the controls. Hybrid and acceleration training may offer novel exercise options for NAFLD patients unable to participate in aerobic or resistance training interventions, including those with significant physical limitations that would otherwise exclude them from such training.

3. Conclusions and Recommendations

The benefits of exercise training in NAFLD are well established. Aerobic, resistance, combination, and novel training modalities improve systemic markers of liver function and intrahepatic fat in mild to advanced NAFLD. Despite the fact that the optimal exercise prescription is unclear, it is possible that no single exercise prescription is optimal. Ultimately, long-term adherence to exercise should be emphasized, which may be dictated by personal preferences for exercise intensity, frequency, duration, and modality. When considering exercise interventions, special attention should be given to improving cardiorespiratory fitness and improving musculoskeletal strength through progressive resistance training. However, NAFLD subjects should undergo proper preliminary screening measures including 12-led electrocardiography prior to initiating exercise prescriptions involving strenuous or vigorous intensities to ensure safety. Given the available evidence, 12 weeks of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic exercise at 46–90% of VO_2max, 3 days per week should be recommended to improve hepatic fat content. Additionally, we recommend 12 weeks of resistance training on nonconsecutive days using either skeletal muscle hypertrophy or strength training protocols prescribed by the American College of Sports Medicine. Further studies are warranted to determine the effects of exercise beyond steatosis, on histological markers of NAFLD in biopsy-proven disease. For patients with significant physical limitations, 12-weeks of acceleration and hybrid training may offer novel exercise training methods to improve intrahepatic fat, especially in patients that are unable to adopt lifestyle modification through counseling. Combination exercise interventions offer the potentially greatest promise by targeting both aerobic capacity and mediators of skeletal muscle that may directly alter liver health. Myokines (signaling proteins/peptides) are released from contracted skeletal muscle into the circulation where they communicate both locally and globally with tissues and organs including the liver [50]. While the role of myokines in NAFLD is unknown, preclinical models indicate that myokines, and particularly myokine IL-6, may modulate markers of liver injury and repair [51]. Myokine IL-6 directly communicates with the liver, regulating both hepatic glucose production and IL-8 expression [51,52]. Liver IL-8 expression is associated with the recruitment and activation of hepatic macrophages and stellate cells in patients with chronic liver disease, contributing to inflammation and fibrosis [53] Thus, myokine IL-6 regulation of liver IL-8 expression may be a likely mechanism of exercise mediated improvements in fibrosis in NAFLD. Moreover, myokine IL-6 has been shown to improve glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle [54]. Given that exercise improves insulin sensitivity as well as glucose and lipid profiles, it is possible that myokine IL-6 is directly involved in these processes. Thus, understanding the role of myokines including, IL-6 in NAFLD, may identify future therapeutic targets that can be modified with specific exercise prescriptions. In support of the potential role of myokines, hybrid training, which contracts skeletal muscle through electrical stimulation, shows beneficial the effects on steatosis grade and liver enzymes. Maximizing skeletal muscle release of myokines and improving cardiorespiratory fitness may provide the one-two punch for the greatest benefits of exercise for patients with NAFLD.