Exercise Training to Decrease Ectopic Intermuscular Adipose Tissue in Individuals With Chronic Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of exercise training on ectopic fat within skeletal muscle (intermuscular adipose tissue [IMAT]) in adult populations with chronic diseases. Methods A literature search was conducted in relevant databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception. Selected studies examined the effect of aerobic training (AET), resistance training (RT), or combined training (COM) on IMAT as assessed by noninvasive magnetic resonance (MRI) or computed tomography (CT). Eligibility was determined using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). Data extraction was performed using the population (P), intervention (I), comparison (C), outcome (O), timing (T), and settings (S) approach. Methodological quality was analyzed by the Cochrane risk of bias assessment. Standardized effect sizes (ES) with 95% Cis were calculated. Heterogeneity among studies was quantified using I2 statistics. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were included. Risk of publication bias was examined by the Egger regression test. Results Nineteen RCTs included 962 adults (628 women; age range = 34.8–93.4 y) with different chronic conditions that participated in 10 AET, 12 RT, and 5 COM interventions. The quality of studies was deemed moderate. Overall, the effect of exercise on IMAT was small (ES = 0.24; 95% CI = 0.10–0.37; heterogeneity I2 = 0.0%) compared with no exercise or control interventions. Moderate intensity AET and COM had larger ES compared with RT regardless of intensity. This effect was associated with exercise-induced body weight and fat mass losses. Subgroup analysis revealed larger ES in studies assessing IMAT by MRI compared with CT, in adults and middle-aged individuals compared with older adults, and in participants who were HIV+ compared with other diagnoses. Conclusion AET and COM of moderate intensity reduce IMAT in individuals from 18 to 65 years of age who are affected by chronic diseases. This effect is associated with exercise-induced body weight and fat mass losses. In older individuals who are frail and patients at an advanced disease stage, exercise may result in a paradoxical IMAT accumulation. Impact In people affected by chronic conditions, IMAT accumulation induces muscle mass and strength losses, decline in physical performance, inflammation, and metabolic alterations. The present study shows that moderate intensity AET or COM prevent or reduce IMAT in these conditions. Thus, the deleterious effect of IMAT on skeletal muscle homeostasis may be reverted by a properly prescribed exercise regime. Findings of the present systematic review are critical for physical therapists and health care professionals as they emphasize the therapeutic role of exercise and provide recommendations for exercise prescription that ultimately may have a positive impact on the course of disease, recovery of functionality, and independence. Lay summary Aerobic exercise (eg, walking/jogging, cycling) alone or combined with resistance exercise (strength training with free-weights, kettle bells, or gym equipment) is effective in reducing fat streaks that infiltrate muscles and impair muscle function and growth, particularly in adults affected by chronic diseases.

Pgc-1α is an exercise-responsive regulator of myosteatosis in older individuals

“…The relationship between FAP adipogenesis, a primary inducer of IMAT [5][6][7] , and chronic physical exercise, a known suppressor of IMAT 11 , has been poorly understood. To address this critical shortcoming, this study identified genes associated with FAP adipogenesis and performed GSEA to demonstrate that chronic resistance exercise and immobilization differentially regulated FAP adipogenesis.…”

“…While accumulated evidence has shown that IMAT is affected by muscle contractile activity (i.e., IMAT is reduced by resistance exercise but increased by immobilization) [11][12][13] , the underlying molecular mechanism is unclear. To address this gap, we first summarized the transcriptomic response of elderly skeletal muscle to resistance exercise versus immobilization.…”

The relationship between clinical examination measures and ultrasound measures of fascia thickness surrounding trunk muscles or lumbar multifidus fatty infiltrations: An exploratory study

“…However, as a rehabilitation professional, the question that needs to be addressed is which type of exercise (general vs. LuM isolated exercises) is more likely to reduce LuM MFI. With regard to general exercises (aerobic, resistance or combined training), one systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted in adults with different chronic diseases, affecting different muscles (Tuñón‐Suárez et al, 2021). The authors concluded that aerobic and combined training of moderate intensity reduce MFI and that this effect is associated with exercise‐induced body weight and fat mass losses.…”

“…This might be due to local injury of the TLF (Bishop et al, 2016), triggering inflammation in the fasciae and its remodelling (Zugel et al, 2018), as this is the case for MFI (Hodges et al, 2021). If so, aerobic exercises may help, as this is the case for MFI (Tuñón-Suárez et al, 2021). From a mechanical perspective, having fatty infiltration of the TLF may alter its elastic modulus, or ability to extend under a certain load, and thus have an important role in local load allocation (Newell & Driscoll, 2021a;Newell & Driscoll, 2021b) (Delitto et al, 1995) and more specifically, with patients thought to have movement coordination impairment, segmental hypermobility or clinical lumbar instability (Cook et al, 2006;Delitto et al, 2012;Rabin et al, 2013).…”

Assessment of the functional state and level of physical fitness of people with immunodeficiency virus with different levels of T-lymphocytes in the practice of a physical therapist

“…At the same time, there are many unresolved issues in the conduct of physical therapy [2]. In particular, there is no single protocol for assessing the functional status of people infected by human immunodeficiency virus and dosing exercise [3].…”