Diabetes Type 2
Clinical Care/Education/Nutrition
O R I G I N A L A R T I C L E
High-Intensity Resistance Training Improves Glycemic Control in Older Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
DAVID W. DUNSTAN, PHD1 ROBIN M. DALY, PHD2 NEVILLE OWEN, PHD3 DAMIEN JOLLEY, MSC2 MAXIMILIAN DE COURTEN, MD1 JONATHAN SHAW, MD1 PAUL ZIMMET, PHD1 ommend the use of resistance training as part of a well-rounded exercise program for older individuals. However, the role of progressive resistance training as a treatment regimen for improving the metabolic profile of older patients with type 2 diabetes has received little attention. Given that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes increases with age (9) and that aging is associated with a reduction in muscle strength and metabolic control, both of which are influenced by the progressive age-related decline in muscle mass (sarcopenia) (10), resistance training may represent an effective exercise alternative for older adults. Furthermore, several studies in older patients without diabetes have demonstrated that resistance training can improve muscular strength and may be an effective tool for the prevention of age-related sarcopenia (11–13). Due to the limited information on the role of resistance training for older patients with type 2 diabetes, it has been recommended that resistance training programs use moderate weights and high repetitions (7). However, it appears that the impact of progressive resistance training on muscle mass and muscle strength in both young and older individuals is more pronounced if higher training intensities (70 and 90% of the onerepetition maximum strength [1-RM]) are used (14). In older adults without diabetes, high-intensity progressive resistance training programs have been reported to have significant effects on daily energy expenditure (15), body composition (16), and insulin sensitivity (17,18). To date, no study has examined the long-term effects of high-intensity progressive resistance training in combination with moderate
O R I G I N A L A R T I C L E
High-Intensity Resistance Training Improves Glycemic Control in Older Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
DAVID W. DUNSTAN, PHD1 ROBIN M. DALY, PHD2 NEVILLE OWEN, PHD3 DAMIEN JOLLEY, MSC2 MAXIMILIAN DE COURTEN, MD1 JONATHAN SHAW, MD1 PAUL ZIMMET, PHD1 ommend the use of resistance training as part of a well-rounded exercise program for older individuals. However, the role of progressive resistance training as a treatment regimen for improving the metabolic profile of older patients with type 2 diabetes has received little attention. Given that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes increases with age (9) and that aging is associated with a reduction in muscle strength and metabolic control, both of which are influenced by the progressive age-related decline in muscle mass (sarcopenia) (10), resistance training may represent an effective exercise alternative for older adults. Furthermore, several studies in older patients without diabetes have demonstrated that resistance training can improve muscular strength and may be an effective tool for the prevention of age-related sarcopenia (11–13). Due to the limited information on the role of resistance training for older patients with type 2 diabetes, it has been recommended that resistance training programs use moderate weights and high repetitions (7). However, it appears that the impact of progressive resistance training on muscle mass and muscle strength in both young and older individuals is more pronounced if higher training intensities (70 and 90% of the onerepetition maximum strength [1-RM]) are used (14). In older adults without diabetes, high-intensity progressive resistance training programs have been reported to have significant effects on daily energy expenditure (15), body composition (16), and insulin sensitivity (17,18). To date, no study has examined the long-term effects of high-intensity progressive resistance training in combination with moderate