Twice-weekly progressive resistance training decreases abdominal fat and improves insulin sensitivity in older men with type 2 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of a twice-weekly progressive resistance training (PRT) program, without a concomitant weight loss diet, on abdominal fat and insulin sensitivity in older men with type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
Nine older men (aged 66.6 +/- 3.1) with type 2 diabetes participated in a 16-week PRT supervised program (50-80% of the one repetition maximum), for all main muscle groups. Basal glycemia, HbA(1c), diet, habitual physical activity, body composition, and upper/lower maximal strength were measured. Insulin sensitivity was determined according to Bergman's minimal model procedure and abdominal fat was obtained by computed tomography. The measurements were taken 4 weeks before training (-4), immediately before training (0), and at 8-week intervals (i.e., weeks 8 and 16) during the 16-week training period.


RESULTS
No significant variation was observed in any of the above selected parameters during the 4-week control period. After PRT, both leg and arm maximal strength increased significantly by 17.1 and 18.2%, respectively. Visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat decreased significantly by 10.3% (from 249.5 +/- 97.9 to 225.6 +/- 96.6 cm(3), P < 0.01) and by 11.2% (from 356.0 +/- 127.5 to 308.6 +/- 118.8 cm(3), P < 0.01), respectively, while no changes were observed in body mass. PRT significantly increased insulin sensitivity by 46.3% (from 2.0 +/- 1.2 to 2.8 +/- 1.6 . 10(4) . min(-1) . muU(-1) . ml(-1), P < 0.01), whereas it significantly decreased (-7.1%, P < 0.05) fasting blood glucose (from 146.6 +/- 28.3 to 135.0 +/- 29.3 mg/dl). Finally, a 15.5% increase in energy intake (from 2,287.1 +/- 354.7 to 2,619.0 +/- 472.1 kcal/day, P < 0.05) was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Two sessions per week of PRT, without a concomitant weight loss diet, significantly improves insulin sensitivity and fasting glycemia and decreases abdominal fat in older men with type 2 diabetes.
Ibañez
Javier
J
Studies, Research and Sports Medicine Center, Government of Navarra, Pamplona-Navarra, Spain. jibanezs@cfnavarra.es
Izquierdo
Mikel
M
Argüelles
Iñaki
I
Forga
Luis
L
Larrión
José L
JL
García-Unciti
Marisol
M
Idoate
Fernando
F
Gorostiaga
Esteban M
EM
D000005:Abdomen / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010809:Physical Fitness; D013314:Stress, Mechanical