J Endocrinol Metab

Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, ISSN 1923-2861 print, 1923-287X online, Open Access

Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, J Endocrinol Metab and Elmer Press Inc

Journal website https://jem.elmerpub.com

Original Article

Volume 15, Number 3, August 2025, pages 109-117

Exercise Perceptions in People With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: Insights From a Qualitative Study

Figure 1. Exercise choices of participants after watching the videos. (a) Ranking of top two exercises in questionnaire 1. (b) Ranking of top exercises in questionnaire 2. Walking was chosen by 57% as rank 1, and eccentric-biased bodyweight resistance and resistance exercise with free weights was chosen by 19% as rank 2. BW res ecc: body-weight resistance eccentric; Machin res ecc: machine resistance eccentric; Conv machine res: conventional machine resistance; BW res conv: body-weight resistance conventional; Free weight res: free weight resistance; Conv cycling: conventional cycling; Ecc cycling: eccentric cycling; Asc walk: ascending stair walking; Des walk: descending stair walking; HIIT: high-intensity interval training; NOTA: none of the above.

**Table 1.** Types of Exercises That Were Shown to the Participants in the Videos
Exercise category	Exercise example
1. Eccentric resistance with bodyweight	Push-ups and squats
2. Eccentric resistance with machines	Lat pull down and leg extension
3. Conventional resistance with machines	Lat pull down and leg extension
4. Conventional resistance with bodyweight	Push-ups and squats
5. Free weight resistance	Dumbbell curl and dumbbell lunge
6. Conventional cycling	Exercise bike
7. Eccentric cycling	Eccentric bike
8. Walking	Walking on a straight path
9. Ascending walk	Walking up stairs
10. Descending walk	Walking downstairs
11. High intensity interval training	Exercise bike
12. None of the above

Table 1. Types of Exercises That Were Shown to the Participants in the Videos

Exercise category

Exercise example

1. Eccentric resistance with bodyweight

Push-ups and squats

2. Eccentric resistance with machines

Lat pull down and leg extension

3. Conventional resistance with machines

Lat pull down and leg extension

4. Conventional resistance with bodyweight

Push-ups and squats

5. Free weight resistance

Dumbbell curl and dumbbell lunge

6. Conventional cycling

Exercise bike

7. Eccentric cycling

Eccentric bike

8. Walking

Walking on a straight path

9. Ascending walk

Walking up stairs

10. Descending walk

Walking downstairs

11. High intensity interval training

Exercise bike

12. None of the above

**Table 2.** List of Codes and the Categories of Themes Generated From the Audio Transcripts
Theme	Code	Percentage of total
1. Knowledge and perspectives about MASLD	a) Fully aware or some awareness	67
	b) Was not aware	33
2. Knowledge and perspectives about the role of exercise in MASLD treatment	a) Fully aware or some awareness	33
	b) Was not aware	56
3. Reasons for choosing walking as the first choice	a) Easy to perform and can be done anytime and anywhere	56
	b) Its enjoyable	11
4. Reasons for choosing free weight resistance exercise as the second choice	a) Previous experience	11
	b) Can be done at home	11
	c) Easy to perform and low impact	11
5. Reasons for choosing eccentric-biased bodyweight resistance exercise as the second choice	a) Dislike for the gym and fancy equipment	17
	b) Easy to perform	33
	c) Can be done anytime and anywhere	6
6. Perspectives on eccentric exercise	a) More benefits with less fatigue	39
	b) Was aware of its benefits	22
7. Barriers to exercise	a) Exercise is painful, tiring and fatiguing	33
	b) Lack of motivation	33
	c) Lack of time	50
8. Motivators to exercise	a) Result-oriented	28
	b) Having knowledge about exercise	22
	c) Quick and less time-consuming	11
	d) Support from family	6

Table 2. List of Codes and the Categories of Themes Generated From the Audio Transcripts

Theme

Code

Percentage of total

1. Knowledge and perspectives about MASLD

a) Fully aware or some awareness

b) Was not aware

2. Knowledge and perspectives about the role of exercise in MASLD treatment

a) Fully aware or some awareness

b) Was not aware

3. Reasons for choosing walking as the first choice

a) Easy to perform and can be done anytime and anywhere

b) Its enjoyable

4. Reasons for choosing free weight resistance exercise as the second choice

a) Previous experience

b) Can be done at home

c) Easy to perform and low impact

5. Reasons for choosing eccentric-biased bodyweight resistance exercise as the second choice

a) Dislike for the gym and fancy equipment

b) Easy to perform

c) Can be done anytime and anywhere

6. Perspectives on eccentric exercise

a) More benefits with less fatigue

b) Was aware of its benefits

7. Barriers to exercise

a) Exercise is painful, tiring and fatiguing

b) Lack of motivation

c) Lack of time

8. Motivators to exercise

a) Result-oriented

b) Having knowledge about exercise

c) Quick and less time-consuming

d) Support from family