Resistance exercise training lowers HbA1c more than aerobic training in adults with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to compare the effects of 10 weeks of resistance or treadmill exercises on glycemic indices levels prior to and immediately following exercise in adults with type 2 diabetes.Research Design and MethodTwenty inactive subjects (mean age 53.5 years) with type 2 diabetes enrolled in the study. Baseline HbA1c, blood glucose levels, heart rate, and blood pressure were measured for each subject prior to the initiation of the exercise program. Subsequently, subjects were matched to age, waist circumference and sex and assigned to either isocaloric resistance or treadmill exercise groups, which met 3 times per week for 10 weeks.ResultsBoth groups showed a reduction in pre and post-exercise blood glucose and HbA1c values. There was no change in resting blood pressure or heart rate in either group during the course of the 10 week intervention. The group receiving resistance exercises showed significant differences in the daily pre-exercise plasma glucose readings between the beginning and end of the exercise protocol (p < 0.001). There were significant improvements in the mean HbA1c reading pre and post training in both groups (p < 0.001). However, the greater reduction was noted in the resistance exercise group, and at 10 weeks their HbA1c levels were significantly lower than the group that received treadmill exercises (p < 0.006).ConclusionTen weeks of resistance exercises were associated with a significantly better glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes compared to treadmill exercise.

What are the health benefits of physical activity in type 1 diabetes mellitus? A literature review

“…Parallel studies on type 2 diabetes suggest that greater activity intensity is associated with greater reductions in HbA 1c [32].…”

Uncomplicated Resistance Training and Health-Related Outcomes

“…RT-induced improvements in glucose and insulin homeostasis are attributed to several factors, including increases in muscle cross-sectional area, increases in lean body mass, and qualitative improvements in muscle metabolic properties ( i.e., increases in GLUT-4 transporter density, glycogen synthase content/activity, and insulin-mediated glucose clearance). Importantly, these beneficial effects of RT have been noted without changes in body weight, fat mass, or cardiorespiratory fitness (20), and RT even may be superior to AT for improving insulin sensitivity (6,20). Since reductions in lean body mass and worsening of glucose tolerance both are observed commonly with advancing age, RT regimens that maintain or increase lean body mass may prevent declines in functional ability and prevent/delay the development of impairments in glucose homeostasis (20).…”

Efeitos Do Exercício Resistido De Alta Intensidade Em Ratos Que Receberam Dexametasona

“…Estas proteínas estão envolvidas diretamente na captação de glicose e síntese de glicogênio, respectivamente 17,18,[28][29][30][31] . A prática do exercício resistido pode contribuir para a melhora da glicemia através de três possíveis mecanismos: contração muscular, produção de adenosina monofosfato (AMP) e ativação da proteína quinase ativada pelo AMP (AMPK) 28,29,30 . Holmes e Dohm 31 sugerem que a melhora da captação de glicose pode ser explicada pelo aumento da expressão proteica e translocação de GLUT-4 do retículo endoplasmático em direção à membrana plasmática.…”