Comparison of strength development with resistance training and combined exercise training in type 2 diabetes

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports Vol. 22; no. 4; pp. e45 - e54
• Main Authors: Larose, J., Sigal, R. J., Khandwala, F., Kenny, G. P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denmark Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-08-2012
• Subjects: Comparative studies; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - rehabilitation; Exercise; Exercise Therapy - methods; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Strength; muscular fitness; Muscular system; physical activity; Physical Fitness; physical performance; Resistance Training - methods; training progressions; Treatment Outcome; weight lifting
• ISSN: 0905-7188; 1600-0838
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2011.01412.x

Resistance training has been shown to increase strength in type 2 diabetes; however, it is unclear if combining resistance and aerobic training (A + R) impedes strength development compared with resistance training only (R). The purpose of this study was to compare changes in strength with A + R vs R in individuals with type 2 diabetes. We evaluated monthly workload increments in participants from the Diabetes Aerobic and Resistance Exercise clinical trial. Muscular strength was assessed through training volumes and as the eight repetition maximum (8‐RM) at 0, 3, and 6 months. Both groups increased their upper and lower body volumes monthly for 6 months. The relative increase in upper body workload in R was significantly greater than A + R at 4 months (161 ± 11% vs 127 ± 11%, P = 0.009) and at 6 months of training (177 ± 11% vs 132 ± 11%, P = 0.008). Both groups had improvements in 8‐RM workloads at 3 and 6 months. The resistance training group had a significantly greater improvement in 8‐RM on the leg press at 6 months compared with A + R (80 ± 11% vs 58 ± 8%, P = 0.045). Both R and A + R improved strength with a 6‐month training program; however, increases in strength may be greater with resistance training alone compared with performing both aerobic and resistance training.