This randomized placebo-controlled study examined whether aerobic exercise training influenced blood, intramyocellular, abdominal and hepatic lipids in 19 sedentary obese men and women. After the four-week intervention program, cardiorespiratory fitness was significantly improved in the exercise group compared to placebo while body weight and body mass index did not change. However, intra-abdominal (visceral) adipose tissue area and volume were reduced in subjects who exercised vs. placebo. Moreover, hepatic triglyceride concentration and plasma free fatty acid levels were also reduced with exercise as compared to placebo. No significant changes were observed in subcutaneous adipose tissue, vastus lateralis intramyocellular triglyceride concentration, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy-measured hepatic lipid saturation and insulin resistance (HOMA). Results of this study indicate that aerobic exercise training can reduce hepatic lipids and mobilize intra-abdominal adipose tissue without any change in body weight in sedentary obese individuals.
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