In a new study, researchers found strength training in a short time period may help reduce liver fat and improve blood sugar control.
The research was conducted by researchers at the University of Campinas in Brazil.
Obesity is a growing global health epidemic. It needs more effective treatments to avoid health complications like fatty liver disease and diabetes.
Previous studies have shown that about 94% of obese people have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
The condition leads to inflammation in the liver and impairs its ability to regulate blood glucose.
This can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and its complications like neuropathy and kidney damage.
Although regular exercise is a good way of improving health and helping with weight loss, the types, durations, and intensities of exercise for best health benefits in obese people are not clear.
Many studies have focused on aerobic exercise, which can improve heart health. But the benefits of muscle-building strength training are not known.
In the current study, the team examined the effects of strength training on obese mice. The animals performed strength training over a short time-period.
They found these mice had less fatty livers, lower inflammation and their blood sugar regulation was improved, even though their overall body weight was the same.
The findings suggest that metabolic benefits can occur after a short time of strength training.
The exercise can have positive effects on health and directly improve liver function and body metabolism.
The researchers suggest strength training may be a more effective, non-drug and low-cost way of improving health in obese people.
They also suggest that the benefits may be even more effective if the exercise is accompanied by weight loss.
Obese people should first consult their primary care physician before starting the exercise.
Future work will focus on how liver metabolism is affected by strength training. This may help make real guidance for obese people.
They also hope their future work could find new targets for developing a drug that can prevent or reduce the risk of fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes in obesity.
The lead author of the study is Leandro Pereira de Moura at the School of Applied Sciences.
The study is published in the Journal of Endocrinology.
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