Vitamin D Supplementation Increases the Aerobic Training Effects on Anthropometric Indices in Elderly Women with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Vitamin D Deficiency

Recent studies indicate that aerobic training may affect non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Besides, vitamin D and NAFLD are known to have more than just an association. This study aimed to examine the effects of vitamin D supplementation, combined with aerobic training, on anthropometric indices in elderly women with NAFLD and vitamin D deficiency. We randomly divided 40 elderly women with NAFLD and vitamin D deficiency into four groups: aerobic training + vitamin D supplementation (AT + Vit. D), aerobic training (AT), vitamin D supplementation (Vit. D), and control (C). The AT protocol consisted of 40 - 60 minutes of aerobic training at 60% - 75% of HRmax three times a week for eight weeks. The anthropometric indices included body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BFP), and waist-hip ratio (WHR) measured at the start and after eight weeks of the study. Data were analyzed by paired t-test and ANOVA using SPSS version 21.0 software at a significance level of P < 0.05. Anthropometric indices (BW, BMI, BFP, and WHR) significantly changed in all groups, with a significant increment in the control group and decrement in the AT + Vit. D, AT, and Vit. D groups. No significant differences were observed between the AT + Vit. D, AT, and Vit. D groups in the measured variables. Vitamin D supplementation combined with aerobic training improves the anthropometric indices in elderly women with NAFLD.