High-intensity interval training for fatty liver in adults with overweight or obesity
Official title: RENACE Study: Rehabilitation With Exercise-Based Intervention for Nonalcoholic Chronic Hepatic Esteatosis
Run by Universidad San Sebastián · NCT07552727 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This will test whether supervised high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can improve liver health in adults 18–59 with overweight or obesity and metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 59 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Universidad San Sebastián Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Valdivia, Los Ríos Region) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 13, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | February 28, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | May 5, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07552727 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18–59 living in the Los Ríos Region with BMI >25 kg/m² and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease who are medically cleared and able to perform supervised exercise are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
People with other liver diseases, excessive alcohol use, pregnancy, contraindicating cardiovascular or musculoskeletal conditions, or inability to attend in-person sessions are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a single-blind, randomized trial enrolling 30 adults from the Los Ríos Region with BMI >25 kg/m² and chronic metabolic conditions; participants will be assigned to a supervised HIIT group (n=15) or a non-trained control group (n=15). Sessions will be conducted in person at the Centro de Estudios Cientificos in Valdivia and exercise readiness will be confirmed with the PAR-Q+. Liver status will be measured using FibroScan at baseline and follow-up to detect changes in steatosis and stiffness, alongside standard metabolic measures. The trial tests whether HIIT improves liver-related outcomes even without major weight loss and whether FibroScan is useful for monitoring conservative management.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could offer a time-efficient exercise option to reduce liver fat and improve liver status while using FibroScan as a noninvasive monitoring tool.
How similar studies have gone: Previous exercise studies, including HIIT, have shown reductions in liver fat and metabolic improvements, so the approach has supporting evidence although using FibroScan for routine monitoring in this exact setup is less extensively reported.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 to 59 years from the Los Ríos Region * Overweight or obesity (BMI \>25 kg/m²) * Diagnosis of a chronic noncommunicable disease such as insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes * Fit to perform physical activity/exercise * Exercise readiness will be confirmed using the PAR-Q+ questionnaire Exclusion Criteria: * Excessive alcohol consumption * Liver diseases of other etiologies * Musculoskeletal and/or cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate exercise - Inability to attend in-person exercise sessions, or pregnancy
Where it's running
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Centro de Estudios Cientificos
Valdivia, Los Ríos Region, Chile Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Sergio Martínez Huenchullán, PhD — Universidad San Sebastián
- Study coordinator: Sergio Martinez-Huenchullan, PhD
- Email: sergio.martinez@uss.cl
- Phone: 56962859896
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.