title: Effect of resistance training on liver fat and visceral adiposity in adults with obesity: A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Regular aerobic exercise reduces visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and liver fat, however, not all individuals are able to adopt and adhere to such programs. Progressive resistance training (PRT) may be an alternative therapy, but there is limited available evidence. We examined the efficacy of PRT as per current exercise guidelines, compared with sham exercise placebo on liver fat and VAT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine inactive and overweight/obese (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) adults (age 29-59) were randomized to receive 8 weeks of PRT (n = 15, 10 exercises per session, 8-12 repetitions, 2-3 sets per exercise at 80-85% of one-repetition maximum, 3 days per week) or a sham exercise placebo control (CON) (n = 14). Change in liver fat, VAT, and abdominal s.c. adipose tissue (SAT) were assessed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant group by time interactions for change in liver fat in PRT versus CON groups (-0.07 ± 0.31% vs. 0.55 ± 0.77%, respectively, P = 0.19), VAT (-175 ± 85 cm3vs. 10 ± 64 cm3, respectively, P = 0.11), or abdominal SAT (-436 ± 245 cm3vs. 127.29 ± 182 cm3, respectively, P = 0.10) despite a significant increase in muscle volume (55 ± 78 cm3vs. -0.04 ± 8 cm3, respectively, P = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Traditional PRT is not effective for reducing liver fat in overweight/obese adults compared with placebo control. Although PRT has known metabolic benefits, an adequate volume of aerobic exercise should be promoted if liver fat is the therapeutic target.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.|Centre for Research on Exercise, Physical Activity and Health, School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Shelley E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Keating
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hackett
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Helen M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Kimberley L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Way
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Helen T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.affiliation: Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise and Eating Disorders, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sainsbury
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Vivienne H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Chuter
authors.affiliation: Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise and Eating Disorders, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Ian D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Caterson
authors.affiliation: Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Millennium Institute and Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.|Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise and Eating Disorders, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Nathan A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Johnson
keywords: exercise; liver fat; obesity; resistance training; visceral adiposity