The associations between physical activity intensity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Kerr, Catherine; Waterworth, Sally; Brodie, David; Sandercock, Gavin; Ingle, Lee

Abstract

Background and Aim: High levels of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness may protect against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. We investigated whether different physical activity intensities and cardiorespiratory fitness were independent predictors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods: We included healthy adults with no prior diagnosis of liver dysfunction. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease prevalence was estimated based on fatty liver index scores. We created tertiles of self-reported low, moderate, and vigorous physical activity. Participants completed an incremental treadmill test to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness, and data were subsequently separated into quintile groups (Q1 [least fit] through Q5 [most fit]). Results: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease prevalence in our sample of 7111 adults was 28.3% in male adults and 6.5% in female adults. Logistic regression showed the relative odds of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were 42% lower if >60min/week of vigorous physical activity was maintained (odds ratio [OR]=0.58, confidence interval [CI]: 0.49–0.68). There was a negative dose–response association between cardiorespiratory fitness and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease between Q1 and Q4. Compared with Q1, odds were 39% (OR=0.61, CI: 0.51–0.73) lower in Q2, through to 51% lower in Q5 (OR=0.49, CI: 0.41–0.60). Moderate physical activity did not reduce the odds of non-alcoholic liver disease. Conclusions: We found the lowest prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in adults achieving >60min/week of vigorous physical activity. However, a stronger dose–response relationship existed between cardiorespiratory fitness and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Improving cardiorespiratory fitness as a potential therapeutic target for treatment and prevention of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease warrants further investigation.

Citation

Kerr, C., Waterworth, S., Brodie, D., Sandercock, G., & Ingle, L. (2021). The associations between physical activity intensity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 36(12), 3508-3514. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgh.15672

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 20, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Aug 24, 2021
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Aug 20, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 25, 2022
• Journal: Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Australia)
• Print ISSN: 0815-9319
• Electronic ISSN: 1440-1746
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 36
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 3508-3514
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jgh.15672
• Keywords: Fatty liver; Physical activity; Physical exertion; Cardiorespiratory fitness
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3824645
• Publisher URL: Accepted articles: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14401746/0/ja