Effects of Long-term Regular Exercise Intervention on NAFLD-related Parameters: A Meta-analysis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most prevalent forms of chronic liver disease across the globe, affecting a significant portion of the population. Long-term regular exercise therapy can improve the relevant clinical indicators of NAFLD patients, and is one of the effective means to treat the disease. This study conducted a meta-analysis of relevant literature published in PubMed up to September 2024 to assess the effects of exercise on various clinical markers in NAFLD patients. A total of nine articles were included, involving 254 patients, with intervention duration ranging from 8 to 26 weeks. Analysis results showed that long-term adherence to exercise significantly reduced ALT(MD=-5.98 , 95% CI [-7.99,-3.97]),AST(MD=-2.92, 95% CI [-5.30,-0.53]),LDL-C(MD=-5.38 , 95% CI [-7.70,-3.06]) levels and increased HDL-C(MD=3.78 , 95% CI [0.4,7.15]) levels in NAFLD patients. However, there was little effect on HbA1c(MD=-0.13 , 95% CI [-0.28,0.02]) levels in NAFLD patients. To sum up, consistent physical activity is a potent means of enhancing the well-being of individuals suffering from NAFLD.