Resistance training improves glycaemic control in obese type 2 diabetic men

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether moderate intensity resistance training (RT) improves glycaemic control in obese, type 2 diabetic men. Eighteen subjects were randomly assigned to a 10-week RT program, or a non-training control group (C). Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA 1c ), fasting glucose and insulin, glucose and insulin 120 minutes (2h) after a 75 g oral glucose load, body composition and muscular strength and endurance were measured before and after the 10-week experimental period. In the RT group fasting glucose and insulin decreased with training (p < 0.05) and decreases in HbA 1c approached significance (p = 0.057). 2-h glucose and insulin did not change in either group. Fat free mass (FFM) increased by 3.5 % after RT but was unchanged in the controls. Fat mass (FM) increased 6.9 % in C but was unchanged in RT. Percent body fat was unchanged in both groups. Muscular strength and endurance increased by 25 to 52 % in the RT group but was unchanged in controls. Changes in fasting glucose and HbA 1c were inversely related to changes in FFM. These results suggest that RT is an effective form of exercise training which modestly improves glycaemic control and lowers fasting insulin levels in obese type 2 diabetics.