Today, despite the great advances that have taken place in the healthcare field, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) continues to be one of the most worrying indirect causes of mortality around the world. With the intention of addressing this global epidemic, physical exercise has been proposed by several international institutions as a first line of action due to its low cost, and its benefits more than appreciable at the multi-systemic level. In fact, physical exercise has proven even more effective than some pharmacological treatments for the prevention, control and treatment of T2DM.
Recent studies have highlighted that strength training (EF) is a tool with great potential to deal with possible metabolic and neuromuscular dysfunctions related to T2DM. However, due to limitations and methodological discrepancies in previous scientific studies, there are still ambiguous doubts and conclusions about the benefits of PE in this population. In fact, and despite its great relevance for the clinical setting, there is no meta-analytical evidence examining the efficacy of the 2 types of EF most frequently used – hypertrophy training (EHT) and resistance strength training – for control of diabetes
In this context, the PA-HELP research group of the University of Granada, whose principal investigator is Manuel Delgado Fernández, has recently led a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the “Obesity Reviews” magazine, with the main objectives of determining the effects of EHT and EFR on glycemic control, physical condition, body composition, lipid profile, blood pressure, inflammation, and quality of life in adults with T2DM; and analyze what type of specific strength training is most effective.
In addition, researchers have evaluated the effects of general strength training on these markers, and have identified several factors that could explain the effects induced by EF. This study, led by Pedro Acosta-Manzano, María Rodriguez-Ayllón and Francisco M. Acosta, was carried out between 2016 and 2019.
Diabetes. (Photo: USS)
The authors observed that both EHT and EFR are therapeutic interventions with similar beneficial effects on glycemic control, physical condition and body composition. EHT also showed beneficial effects on lipid profile, blood pressure and inflammation.
In addition, they confirmed the effectiveness of the general EF on these health markers. In the same way, it is important to note that the effects induced by the general EF, and by the EHT and EFR specifically, were similar to those observed with aerobic training. Finally, the authors also stressed that various components of EF (for example, the volume and intensity of training), some characteristics of patients (age, body composition, etc.), and certain medications could have an effect on the success of these interventions in adults with T2DM.
This information could be very useful not only in the development of public strategies, but also in the clinical setting, to facilitate the choice and recommendation of lifestyle-related interventions for patients with T2DM to health professionals. .
Ideally, aerobic training and general EF should be implemented together in clinical practice according to the recommendations of the reference institutions. However, when this is not possible, EHT and EFR could be used as complementary-interchangeable therapeutic interventions depending on the physical limitations of the patients, their personal preferences, and the availability / adequacy of the facilities. (Source: UGR / DICYT)
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