A Resistance Training Program on Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Amanda Brown (), Ingrid Dias, Jefferson da Silva Novaes, Leandro Sant’Ana, Bruno Perez Felix, Fabio Cahuê, Anderson Brito-Azevedo, Michel Silva Reis, Agnaldo José Lopes, Verônica Salerno, Roberto Simão, Estêvão Rios Monteiro and Renata de Mello Perez
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Amanda Brown: Federal Institute of Southeast Minas Gerais—Campus Barbacena, Barbacena 36205-018, Brazil
Ingrid Dias: Postgraduate Program in Physical Education (PPGEF), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-599, Brazil
Jefferson da Silva Novaes: Postgraduate Program in Physical Education (PPGEF), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-599, Brazil
Leandro Sant’Ana: Strength Training Laboratory (LABFOR), Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
Bruno Perez Felix: Undergraduate Program in Physical Therapy, IBMR University Center, Rio de Janeiro 22631-002, Brazil
Fabio Cahuê: Postgraduate Program in Physical Education (PPGEF), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-599, Brazil
Anderson Brito-Azevedo: Liver Transplant Unit, Adventista Silvestre Hospital, Rio de Janeiro 22241-220, Brazil
Michel Silva Reis: Postgraduate Program in Physical Education (PPGEF), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-599, Brazil
Agnaldo José Lopes: Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Science (PPGCR), Centro Universitário Augusto Motta, Rio de Janeiro 21032-060, Brazil
Verônica Salerno: Postgraduate Program in Physical Education (PPGEF), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-599, Brazil
Roberto Simão: Postgraduate Program in Physical Education (PPGEF), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-599, Brazil
Estêvão Rios Monteiro: Postgraduate Program in Physical Education (PPGEF), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-599, Brazil
Renata de Mello Perez: Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21044-020, Brazil

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: Background: Cirrhosis represents an advanced stage of hepatic fibrosis, and the metabolic changes resulting from liver dysfunction can cause impairment in physical capacity and quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of 12 weeks of resistance exercise on inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, physical conditioning, and quality of life in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: A total of 38 patients paired in the exercise (EG) and control (CG) groups participated in this study. The EG submitted to two weekly sessions of a program composed of resistance exercises. We evaluated the inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α), oxidative stress (carbonylated protein, total thiols, enzyme superoxide dismutase, and catalase activity), body composition, handgrip strength (HGS), total volume of training, cardiorespiratory capacity (VO 2 , VCO 2 , and VE peak ), exercise capacity, and quality of life. Results: Regarding the EG, when comparing the follow-up period to the baseline, significant differences ( p < 0.05) were found in BMI, HGS, total training volume, cardiorespiratory capacity variables, the 6 min walk test, and quality of life. Improvements were observed, without significant differences, in the inflammatory profile, oxidative stress, and one of the markers of liver function. The CG showed a significant decrease ( p < 0.05) in HGS and cardiorespiratory capacity after the intervention. Conclusions: In patients with liver cirrhosis, a resistance exercise program improved physical fitness and quality of life, without adverse events. In addition, it seems that this type of training can bring some benefit to the inflammatory profile and oxidative stress of this population.

Keywords: liver cirrhosis; physical exercise; muscle strength; quality of life (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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