Issue 24-2, 2025

Original article

Calisthenics Exercise Versus High-Intensity Interval Training on Health-Related Outcomes in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Patients: a Comparative Study



ORCIDFatma Y.M. Abd-ELSalam1,*, ORCIDNesreen G.M. EL-Nahas1, ORCIDKhaled Y. Mohamed2, ORCIDMohamed K.I. Metkees2, ORCIDHend A. Abd El-Monaem1

1 Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
2 Medical Research and Clinical Studies at National Research Center, Dokki, Egypt


ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION.  Regular physical activity is strongly recommended to cope with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

AIM.  To examine the impact of an eight-week calisthenics exercise versus high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in NAFLD patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS.  At Cairo University’s Faculty of Physical Therapy-Outpatient Clinics, 32 male and female NAFLD patients were randomly divided between HIIT (n = 16) and calisthenics exercise (n = 16) for three days per week for the period of eight weeks, all patients in two groups receiving the appropriate medication (Statins 5 mg). The outcome measures were liver ultrasonography and serum lipid profile.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION.  Following eight weeks of intervention, the analysis of data indicated that calisthenics and HIIT had no significant differences in their effects on plasma lipids and liver US results (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION.  No significant differences were noted in lipid profiles and liver US results between the exercise groups, implying that both calisthenics and HIIT could serve as effective treatment strategies for NAFLD.

REGISTRATION:   Clinicaltrials.gov identifier No. NCT06032650; registered 11.09.2023.


KEYWORDS: lipid profile, aerobic exercise, liver ultrasonography, resistance exercise

FOR CITATION:

Abd-ELSalam F.Y.M., EL-Nahas N.G.M., Mohamed K.Y., Metkees M.K.I., Abd El-Monaem H.A. Calisthenics Exercise Versus High-Intensity Interval Training on Health-Related Outcomes in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Patients: a Comparative Study. Bulletin of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2025; 24(2):38–44.https://doi.org/10.38025/2078-1962-2025-24-2-38-44  

FOR CORRESPONDENCE:

Fatma Younis Mahmoud Abd-ELSalam, Е-mail: drfatmayounis@cu.edu.eg


References:

1. Miao Z., Wang W., Miao Z., et al. Role of Selenoprotein W in participating in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Redox biology. 2024; 71: 103114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2024.103114

2. Chalasani N., Younossi Z., Lavine J.E., et al. The diagnosis and management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: practice guidance from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Hepatology. 2018; 67(1): 328–357. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.29367

3. Riazi K., Azhari H., Charette J.H., et al. The prevalence and incidence of NAFLD worldwide: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 2022; 7(9): 851–861. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-1253(22)00165-0

4. Bernabe E., Shibuya K. Global, regional, and national disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for 306 diseases and injuries and healthy life expectancy (HALE) for 188 countries, 1990–2013: quantifying the epidemiological transition. Lancet. 2015; 386(1009): 2145–2191. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)61340-X

5. Spengler E.K., Loomba R. Recommendations for diagnosis, referral for liver biopsy, and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Mayo Clin Proc. 2015; 90(9): 1233–1246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2015.06.013

6. Loomba R., Friedman S.L., Shulman G.I. Mechanisms and disease consequences of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. 2021; 184(10): 2537–2564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2021.04.015

7. Xue Y., Peng Y., Zhang L., et al. Effect of different exercise modalities on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and network metaanalysis. Scientific Reports.2024; 14(1): 6212. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-51470-4

8. Carneros D., Lopez-Lluch G., Bustos M. Physiopathology of lifestyle interventions in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Nutrients. 2020; 12(11): 3472. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12113472

9. Camacho-Cardenosa A., Brazo-Sayavera J., Camacho-Cardenosa M., et al. Effects of high-intensity interval training on fat mass parameters in adolescents. Rev Esp Salud Publica.2016; 90(21): e1–e9.

10. Khalafi M., Symonds M.E. The impact of high-intensity interval training on liver fat content in overweight or obese adults: A meta-analysis. Physiology & Behavior. 2021; 236: 113416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113416

11. Cigerci A.E., Genc H. The effect of calisthenics exercises on body composition in soccer players. Prog. Nutr.2020; 22(1): 94–102. https://doi.org/10.23751/pn.v22i1-S.9797

12. Turğut M., Sarikaya M. Effect of calisthenics exercise program on some liver enzyme values and blood lipids. BRAIN. Broad Research in Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience. 2020; 11(2): 72–81. https://doi.org/10.18662/brain/11.2/75

13. Chen T.P., Lai M., Lin W.Y., et al. Metabolic profiles and fibrosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the elderly: a community‐based study. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.2020; 35(9): 1636–1643. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgh.15073

14. Suman O.E., Spies R.J., Celis M.M., et al. Effects of a 12-wk resistance exercise program on skeletal muscle strength in children with burn injuries. J Appl Physiol, 2001; 91: 1168–1175. https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.2001.91.3.1168

15. Kozlov S., Caprnda M., Chernova O., et al. Peak responses during exercise treadmill testing using individualized ramp protocol and modified Bruce protocol in elderly patients. Folia Medica.2020; 62(1): 76–81. https://doi.org/10.3897/folmed.62.e49809

16. Sakinah M.H., Abd Malek N.F., Khan A.K.T., et al. The Effect of 12-Week Calisthenics Exercise on Physical Fitness among Obese Female Students. Physical Education Theory and Methodology, 2022; 22(3s): S45–S50. https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2022.3s.06

17. Guzel N.A., Pınar L., Colakoğlu F., et al. Long-term callisthenic exercise–related changes in blood lipids, Homocysteine, nitric oxide levels and body composition in middle-aged healthy sedentary women. 2012. Chin J Physiol. 2012; 55(3): 202–209. https://doi.org/10.4077/CJP.2012.AMM122

18. Wu G., Qu H. Retracted: The Effect of Calisthenics on Hypoglycemic of Diabetic Patients. BioMed Research International. 2024, 2024(1): 9827683. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/9827683

19. Ajayi-Vincent O.B., Adesina M.O. Effects of resistance training on the blood lipid variables of young adults. European Scientific Journal. 2013; 9(12). https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2013.v9n12p%25p

20. Sogaard D., Lund M.T., Scheuer C.M., et al. High‐intensity interval training improves insulin sensitivity in older individuals. Acta physiologica. 2018; 222(4): e13009. https://doi.org/10.1111/apha.13009

21. Oner S., Yasul Y., Akcinar F. The effects of high-intensity interval training on body composition and lipid profile. Pakistan Journal of Medical and Health Sciences. 2021; 15(2): 641–645.

22. da Silva M.R., Waclawovsky G., Perin L., et al. Effects of high-intensity interval training on endothelial function, lipid profile, body composition and physical fitness 81 in normal-weight and overweight-obese adolescents: A clinical trial. Physiology & behavior. 2020; 213: 112728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2019.112728

23. Takahashi A., Abe K., Usami K., et al. Simple resistance exercise helps patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. International journal of sports medicine. 2015; 36(10): 848–852. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0035-1549853

24. Kong N., Yang G., Wang L., Li, Y. Calisthenics exercises to intervene in obesity and diabetes in middle-aged people. Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte, 2022, 28(2): 85–88. https://doi.org/10.1590/1517-8692202228022021_0457

25. Hallsworth K., Fattakhova G., Hollingsworth K.G., et al. Resistance exercise reduces liver fat and its mediators in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease independent of weight loss. Gut. 2011; 60(9): 1278–1283. https://doi.org/10.1136/gut.2011.242073

26. Hallsworth K., Thoma C., Hollingsworth K.G., et al. Modified high-intensity interval training reduces liver fat and improves cardiac function in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial. Clinical science, 2015, 129(12): 1097–1105. https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20150308

27. Abdelbasset W.K., Tantawy S.A., Kamel D.M., et al. A randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of 8-week high-intensity interval exercise on intrahepatic triglycerides, visceral lipids, and health-related quality of life in diabetic obese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Medicine.2019; 98(12): e14918.98. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000014918




Creative Commons License
The content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

©


This is an open article under the CC BY 4.0 license. Published by the National Medical Research Center for Rehabilitation and Balneology.