The study aimed to find which exercise program generated the best results for the livers of 1530 participants.

Associate Professor Neil Smart, from the school of science and technology, said he found levels of fat in the liver were improved after 10,000 kilocalories were burnt.

“That is about 20 to 25 hours of exercise at moderate intensity, so if you work at a higher intensity you will get quicker results,” Associate Professor Smart said.

While calorie-burning exercise was found to be beneficial to liver fat storage, the effect of diets were still unclear.

“Half the included studies had some diet treatment as well as exercise so it was difficult to separate diet from exercise,” he said.

“Diet will play a role, so if you can reduce your calorie intake you will possibly see more benefit than if you don’t.”