Exercise may reduce liver fat with about 30 minutes a week, researchers say

Researchers who pooled 24 studies report that a mix of moderate aerobic and resistance exercise totaling about 30 minutes a week produced clinically meaningful reductions in liver fat in people with MASLD, and the condition is estimated to affect around one in five people in the UK.

Researchers combined data from 24 studies to assess how different exercise types affect metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). They report that a mix of moderate aerobic activity and resistance training totaling about 30 minutes per week produced clinically meaningful reductions in liver fat. The analysis also noted larger weekly amounts — roughly 2.5 hours moderate or 1.5 hours vigorous — were identified as an optimal prescription for maximum benefit, with some signs of plateauing beyond that. The team published the findings in the Journal of Sport and Health Science and highlighted that disease severity influences how effective exercise is. Key findings: - The review pooled 24 studies from multiple databases to compare exercise types and doses. - A combined program of moderate aerobic and resistance exercise totaling around 30 minutes a week led to clinically meaningful reductions in hepatic steatosis. - The researchers identified an approximate optimal weekly dose (about 2.5 hours moderate or 1.5 hours vigorous) for larger benefits, with evidence of a plateau beyond that level. - The authors noted early identification of MASLD matters because severity affects how well exercise can help. Summary: The research indicates modest amounts of combined aerobic and strength exercise can reduce liver fat in people with MASLD, and that greater weekly volumes produce larger but eventually plateauing benefits. Undetermined at this time.