Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Physical Education, Islamic Azad University, Aligudarz Branch, Aligudarz, Iran
2
Department of Physical Education, Islamic Azad University, Aligudarz Branch, Aligudarz, Iran.
10.22091/arsnes.2026.15047.1052
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the effects of eight weeks of resistance training and chicory distillate consumption on the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) and hepatic enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This semi-experimental clinical trial was conducted on 48 women aged 30–40 years in Aligoudarz, Iran. Participants were recruited voluntarily and purposefully, and then randomly assigned into four groups: resistance training combined with chicory distillate, resistance training alone, chicory distillate alone, and control. The interventions were implemented over an eight-week period. Pre-test and post-test assessments included blood sampling to measure CRP, AST, and ALT, as well as ultrasonographic evaluation of liver status. Data analysis using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test revealed that both resistance training and chicory distillate consumption independently led to significant reductions in CRP and liver enzyme levels compared to the control group. Notably, the combined intervention produced the most pronounced improvements, with greater decreases in inflammatory and hepatic markers than either intervention alone (P<0.05). These findings suggest that resistance training, as a non-pharmacological lifestyle strategy, and chicory distillate, as a traditional herbal remedy, exert complementary and synergistic effects in improving inflammatory status and liver function among patients with NAFLD. Therefore, the integration of structured exercise programs with safe and accessible herbal interventions may represent an effective, low-cost, and practical approach for the management and prevention of fatty liver disease in women.
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