Resistance training, aerobic training improve insulin sensitivity, glucose control

Resistance training and aerobic training improve insulin sensitivity and glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in Diabetes Care.

The study also found that both resistance and aerobic training reduce abdominal fat in those patients.

Forty participants with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to either aerobic training or resistance training for four months.

After sixteen weeks, researchers found that HbA1c was similarly reduced in both groups. Also known as hemoglobin A1c, HbA1c is a test that measures the average amount of sugar in the blood over three months.

They also reduced their total and truncal fat, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Truncal fat deposits settle in the torso and abdomen. Both VAT and SAT correlate with metabolic risk.

Finally, the data showed that participants increased their insulin sensitivity and lean limb mass. Beta cell function showed no significant changes, according to the study.

Improvement in HbA1c after training was independently predicted by baseline HbA1c and by changes in peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) and truncal fat.

“Changes after training in VO2peak and truncal fat may be primary determinants of exercise-induced metabolic improvement,” wrote the authors of the study.

Exercise and diabetes
Getting physical activity and staying active are key to managing type 2 diabetes, according to American Diabetes Association.

Physical activity is anything that keeps you moving and active. This includes walking, dancing and gardening. They key is to find a few activities that you enjoy.

To accommodate for all weather conditions, American Diabetes Association recommends choosing one outdoor activity and one indoor activity. It also suggests selecting one activity that helps burn calories and glucose and another one that helps with building muscles.

Sources: Diabetes Care, American Diabetes Association