Could Weight Training Improve Blood Vessel Function in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes?
A recent study examined the effects of weight training on endothelial response in participants with type 2 diabetes, finding that endothelial function improved significantly 2 hours after exercising.
The study included 12 age-matched type 2 diabetes participants, 12 untrained, and 11 trained adults. Participants completed a seated control session, a single session of resistance-based interval exercise, and a single session of cardio-based interval exercise.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RELATED CONTENT
Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Benefit from Intensive Lifestyle Interventions
Interval Training Reduces CV Risk in Patients with Diabetes
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
For the cardio-based interval exercise session, participants performed 7 minute-long cycling intervals at 85% peak power, with a 1-minute recovery between each bout. Participants performed 7 minute-long leg resistance exercise bouts for the resistance-based interval exercise session. The controlled, resistance, and cardio-based interval exercises were randomized and separated by more than 2 days.
The flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery was assessed at baseline and 1 and 2 hours after each session.
Their results showed that endothelial function improved after the resistance-based interval exercise session in all groups. Endothelial function improvement was significant in type 2 diabetes participants who had higher endothelial function immediately following and at 1 and 2 hours after resistance training compared to the control session.
The cardio-based interval exercise increased endothelial function at 1 hour postexercise in type 2 diabetes participants.
Overall, the researchers concluded that resistance interval exercise greatly improved endothelial function for 2 hours after the exercise period in type 2 diabetes participants.
“The long-term impact of resistance exercise performed in an interval pattern is warranted,” the researchers concluded.
—Melissa Weiss
Reference:
Francois ME, Durrer C, Pistawka KJ, Halperin FA, and Little JP. Resistance-based interval exercise acutely improves endothelial function in type 2 diabetes. American Journal of Physiology Heart and Circulatory Physiology 311(5):1258-1267.