Resistance Training in the Treatment of Diabetes and Obesity: MECHANISMS AND OUTCOMES
Abstract
In Brief Resistance exercise training (RET) is gaining broad acceptance as a complement to endurance exercise in the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors. This article reviews the most current and reliable literature regarding the biological mechanisms and potential clinical effectiveness of RET in the treatment of 2 major cardiovascular risk factors, diabetes and obesity, obtained from human subject studies found by querying MEDLINE Plus/Ovid literature search system for the years 1950–2008. RET appears to enhance insulin sensitivity and improve glucose tolerance in a wide range of study groups. In addition, studies have shown that improved glucose uptake is not a mere consequence of the typical increase in fat-free mass associated with RET but is likely a result of qualitative changes in resistance-trained muscle. There is also substantial evidence that regular RET can effectively alter body composition in both men and women. It has been shown to increase total fat-free mass, muscular strength, and resting metabolic rate, and preferentially mobilize the visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue in the abdominal region. The studies presented in this review demonstrate that RET should remain an important focus of translational research, where clinical trials of RET encourage the performance of mechanistic studies and where mechanistic studies lead to further clinical trials. Resistance training is gaining broad acceptance as a complement to endurance exercise in the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors. This review focuses on the mechanisms through which resistance training affects glucose intolerance, diabetes, and obesity, and the outcome studies that demonstrate potential clinical benefit.
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Regular exercise and long-term physical activity can increase GLUT-4 content and glycogen synthase activity, thereby improving insulin sensitivity in muscles and other tissues.
“regular exercise and long-term PA can increase GLUT-4 content and glycogen synthase activity, thereby improving insulin sensitivity in muscles and other tissues”
From Physical activity during pregnancy and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis (2024) · cites this paper as [50]
Resistance training enhances insulin sensitivity and improves glucose tolerance in a wide range of human subjects.
“Resistance training also enhances insulin sensitivity and improves glucose tolerance in a wide range of human subjects (526).”
From Lack of Exercise Is a Major Cause of Chronic Diseases (2012) · cites this paper as [526]
Metabolic issues associated with low healthy behaviors are reversed with exposure to physical activity (e.g., exercise).
“And are reversed with exposure to physical activity (e.g., exercise) with speculation that resistance exercise may provide the greatest impact on reversing such issues [28,47-50]”
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“First, the researchers confirmed that regular exercise and long-term PA can increase GLUT-4 content and glycogen synthase activity, thereby improving insulin sensitivity in muscles and other tissues, which strengthens the body by utilising glucose and lowering insulin resistance [49, 50].”
Background
- Authors
- Tresierras, M. A., & Balady, G. J.
- Affiliations
- Boston University (US)
- ORCID
- Balady, Gary J.
- Venue
- Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention
- Published
- 2009-03
- Volume
- 29
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 67-75
- ISSN
- 1932-7501 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2047004813
- Cited by
- 115
- References
- 59
- Citations by year
- 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 15
- FWCI
- 1.79
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins
- Keywords
- resistance training, diabetes mellitus, obesity, insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, glucose uptake, fat-free mass, body composition, visceral adipose tissue, subcutaneous adipose tissue, resting metabolic rate, muscle strength, cardiovascular risk factors
- MeSH terms
- Diabetes Mellitus, Humans, Insulin Resistance, Obesity, Exercise, Glucose Intolerance, Caloric Restriction, Muscle Strength
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