Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Randomized Controlled Trial to Study the Acute Effects of Strength Exercise on Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Adults
Published on: December 1, 2023
Muscle-strengthening activity and its association with insulin sensitivity
Yiling J Cheng1, Edward W Gregg, Nathalie De Rekeneire
1Diabetes Translation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA. ycc1@cdc.gov
Objective:
Muscle-strengthening activities (MSAs) may increase insulin sensitivity, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between MSAs and insulin sensitivity among American adults.
Research Design And Methods:
We analyzed data on 4,504 adults without diabetes, aged 20-79 years, who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2004 and had information on MSAs. Self-reported frequency (times/week) of MSAs was grouped as low (<1), moderate (1-2.9), or high (>or=3). Insulin sensitivity was measured by the fasting quantitative insulin sensitivity check index x 100 (QUICKI).
Results:
After adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, physical activity other than MSAs, BMI, smoking, alcohol consumption, and daily total caloric intake, the mean values for QUICKI by low, moderate, and high MSA were 33.6, 33.9, and 34.2, respectively (P for linear trend = 0.008) for men and 34.2, 34.6, 34.6, respectively (P for linear trend = 0.009) for women. Mean fasting insulin (picomols per liter) concentrations were 75.0, 68.9, and 65.9, respectively (P for linear trend = 0.017) for men and 66.9, 63.3, 61.2, respectively (P for linear trend = 0.007) for women. There were no significant differences across MSA groups for fasting glucose among men or women.
Conclusions:
MSA is independently associated with higher insulin sensitivity among U.S. adults. Efforts to increase MSA may be a realistic, feasible, and effective method of reducing insulin resistance among the U.S. population.
More Related Videos
12:59Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
08:01Measurement of Insulin- and Contraction-Stimulated Glucose Uptake in Isolated and Incubated Mature Skeletal Muscle from Mice
Published on: May 16, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...