Combined Effect of Aerobic Training and Low Calorie Diet on Body Composition, Blood Pressure and Carotid Intima Media Thickness in Men with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) by disturbing endothelial dysfunction, increases the carotid intima media thickness (cIMT). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the Combined effect of aerobic training and low-calorie diet on body composition, blood pressure and cIMT in men with NAFLD. In this quasi-experimental Study, thirty four patients with NAFLD were selected purposefully. The participants were randomly divided into two groups, intervention group (combined of aerobic training and low-calorie diet) (n=17) and control group (n=17). The aerobic training program included eight weeks running on a treadmill with maximum heart rate intensity of 55-75% for 45 minutes three times a week. Low calorie diet with an energy deficit of 500 calories of daily energy intake that was calculated from 3-day food records of patients. Before the beginning of the study and at the end of the eighth week, body composition, Lipid profile, Alanine transaminase, Aspartate transaminase, blood pressure and cIMT of all the participants were assessed. The data were analyzed at the significant level of P <0.05. Findings: In the intervention group, the right cIMT and left cIMT in the post test had a significant decrease compared to the pretest (P <0.05). Also, weight, BMI, waist to hip ratio and systolic blood pressure significantly decreased (P <0.05). After intervention, there was a significant difference between the two groups in all variables ( P <0.05). In this study, eight weeks of aerobic exercise and low calorie diet interactions improved body composition, blood pressure and cIMT in men with NAFLD. Therefore, these interventions are likely to be useful interventions in reducing the cardiovascular risk factors and risk factors associated with NAFLD