The effects of high- intensity interval training with and without intermittent fasting on body composition and markers of cardiometabolic risk in patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease

Background and aim: The combined effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and intermittent fasting (IF) have been poorly studied, especially on cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with MAFLD. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to study the effects of 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training with and without intermittent fasting on body composition and cardiometabolic risk markers in patients with metabolic-related fatty liver disease. Materials and Methods: is study, 48 men with MAFLD were divided into 3 groups: high-intensity interval training or HIIT (n = 15), intermittent fasting or IF (n = 17), and a combination of HIIT + IF (n = 16). The high-intensity interval training program was performed in the two intervention groups, three times a week at an intensity of 80-95% of peak heart rate, 14 minutes per session for 12 weeks. Serum levels of fasting glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and anthropometric measurements were measured before and after the study. Results: Analysis of covariance showed a significant decrease in weight, body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, HIIT+IF and IF groups compared to the HIIT alone group and a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein in the HIIT+IF and HIIT alone groups compared to the IF group (p>0.05). However, a significant decrease in serum levels of fasting glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance was observed in all three groups after the study compared to baseline (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that HIIT combined with IF can help improve body composition and cardiometabolic risk markers in patients with MAFLD.