Biological Adaptations of Strength Training.

A sample size of 30 volunteers, aged 35-45 years, will participate in the present study. Of them, 15 will be normal weight and 15 will suffer from fatty liver disease (BMI 29-35 kg/m2, waist size >102 cm). The exclusion criteria will be a) medication, b) musculoskeletal problems that will prevent participation in the training program, c) known condition or medical condition preventing participation in the program e.g. hypertension, d) BMI> 35kg / m2, (e) a severe family medical history up to first degree relatives with cardiovascular disease and / or diabetes at the age of less than 65 for women and less than 55 years for men and (f) smoking. After informing and receiving a questionnaire and medical history, volunteers will sign for their participation in the survey.

A two-trial repeated measures design will be applied in this investigation. Both control and exercise trials will last for 3 months. During the week preceding the commencement of the study, participants will complete dietary recalls and will have their habitual physical activity monitored, by utilizing accelerometers. Thereafter, body composition, ultrasound imaging of muscle and liver, biochemical and hematological markers will be measured. The same measurements will be repeated at the end of each month, in both trials. Control trial will be executed prior to exercise trial. An exercise intervention program, combining strength and cardiovascular exercises performed three times a week, will take place in the exercise trial.

Inclusion criteria

• no use of medication
• free of musculoskeletal limitations
• absence of a known condition or medical condition preventing participation in the program (e.g. hypertension)
• absence of a severe family medical history up to first degree relatives with cardiovascular disease and /or diabetes at the age of less than 65 for women and less than 55 years for men
• non-smokers

Exclusion criteria

• use of medication
• musculoskeletal limitations that will prevent participation in the training program
• known condition or medical condition preventing participation in the program (e.g. hypertension)
• a severe family medical history up to first degree relatives with cardiovascular disease and /or diabetes at the age of less than 65 for women and less than 55 years for men
• smoking