Effects of low-intensity resistance training on muscular function and glycemic control in older adults with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Aims/Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of low-intensity resistance training with slow movement and tonic force generation (LST) on muscular function and glucose metabolism in older patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: A total of 10 patients with type 2 diabetes (age 68.2 ± 9.7 years) engaged in LST training twice a week for 16 weeks. Before the long-term intervention, they were subjected to the measurement of acute changes in blood factors relating to glycemic control as a result of a bout of LST. Body composition, muscular size and strength, and glycated hemoglobin were measured before and after the intervention. Results: The magnitudes of the acute changes in the blood factors were all small and were not considered harmful for glucose metabolism. The 16-week LST training caused significant increases in thigh muscle thickness and strength, and decreases in body fat mass and glycated hemoglobin. The change in glycated hemoglobin showed a significant negative correlation with the change in the isokinetic knee extension peak torque measured at a high angular velocity (180°/s). Conclusions: The LST training was shown to be effective for gaining muscular size and strength, and improving glycemic control in older patients with type 2 diabetes. The mechanisms underlying this effect might involve the improvement of contractile function in fast glycolytic fibers.