Study Examines Link Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Fatty Liver

Lower risk of fatty liver is associated with greater cardiovascular fitness, according to a recent study from Finland.

Animal models have previously revealed associations between fatty liver and cardiovascular fitness, though data have been limited in humans. To better evaluate this potential link, researchers analyzed data from 463 participants in the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. A cycle ergometer exercise test was used to determine cardiovascular fitness, and ultrasonography was used to assess fatty liver.
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According to the study’s authors, cardiorespiratory fitness was tied to a lower risk of fatty liver (1 ml/kg/min increase in VO2peak: relative risk, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.88-0.93), even after adjustments for age and sex. Additional adjustments for physical activity, adiposity, smoking, alcohol consumption, serum lipids, insulin, glucose, and C-reactive protein showed the same significant association.

Participants who were obese yet still fit had lower prevalence of fatty liver (11.7%) than participants who were obese and unfit (34.8%). Obesity was defined as a waist circumference of greater than 80 cm in women and less than 94 cm in men.

"The study revealed that cardiorespiratory fitness is inversely related to the risk of fatty liver -- despite physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, serum lipids, insulin, glucose, and C-reactive protein. Importantly, the same results could be seen in participants who were obese," said lead author Kristiina Pälve, MD, from the Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine of the University of Turku in Finland.

—Lauren LeBano

References

Pälve KS, Pahkala K, Suomela E, et al. Cardiorespiratory fitness and risk of fatty liver: the young Finns study [published online April 11, 2017]. Med Sci Sports Exerc. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001288.

Cardiorespiratory fitness can reduce risk of fatty liver [press release]. University of Turku. May 3, 2017.