Strength training reduces additional health risks associated with obesity: Study

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According to a recent study, strength training can help in reducing the health risks associated with obesity.

According to the findings, which were published in the Journal of Endocrinology, Strength training for a short period of time reduces fat stores in the liver and improves blood glucose control in obese mice.

The study reports that strength training for a short period of time was adequate to reduce the accumulation of liver fat and improve the regulation of blood glucose in obese mice, even without overall loss of body weight.

The findings of the study suggest that strength training might be a faster and more effective way of reducing the risk of fatty liver disease and diabetes in obese people.

Obesity is a growing, global health epidemic that needs more effective intervention strategies to avoid debilitating complications including fatty liver disease and diabetes. Approximately 94% of obese people are diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which leads to inflammation in this vital organ and impairs its ability to regulate blood glucose. This increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and its associated serious complications, including nerve and kidney damage.

Obese mice were made to perform strength training over a short time-period. Although, the amount of strength training that was performed by mice would not be enough to change the body fat composition in humans. After this short-term training, the mice had less fatty livers, reduced levels of inflammatory markers and their blood glucose regulation were improved, despite no change in their overall body weight.

"The fact that these improvements in metabolism occurred over a short time, even though the overall amount of body fat was unchanged, suggest that strength training can have positive effects on health and directly affect liver function and metabolism. So may be a more effective, non-drug and low-cost strategy for improving health in obesity, "said Leandro Pereira de Moura, the lead author of the study.

These health benefits would be even more effective if accompanied by the reduction of body fat. However, based on these findings obese individuals could be directed to increase their activity through strength training but they should always consult their primary care physician first.