Effects of Normobaric Hypoxic Training in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)

Altitude training has been suggested to be of potential support to improve some chronic clinical conditions, especially metabolic conditions. Normobaric hypoxia represents a promising system to simulate altitude training, and its efficacy and safety have been suggested in different conditions, including diabetes, obesity and hypertension. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) can characterized by metabolic alterations (including altered body composition, lipid and glycemic profile, etc.), and might benefit from aerobic training performed in simulated altitude training (i.e., normobaric hypoxia). Mild altitude training will be proposed (equal to about 2'500 m, 15% FiO2) and compared to a sham normobaric normoxia condition, during a 6-week 3 times per week 50-min aerobic training (walking) at 60-65% of maximum heart rate (HRmax). Cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, and metabolic profile will be investigated.

Inclusion Criteria: * Being diagnosed with MASLD from at the least 3 years * BMI \> 26 kg/m2 * Being sedentary Exclusion Criteria: * Cardiovascular, respiratory, renal complications * Hypertension * COPD * Previous history of acute mountain sickness or altitude-associated symptoms * Females only: pregnancy or breastfeeding