Resistance Training for Prediabetes

Overseen By Roberto Mota Alvidrez, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of New Mexico

Must not be taking: Fluoroquinolones, Glucocorticoids, others

Disqualifiers: Cognitive impairment, Renal failure, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 32

Duration: 16 weeks

48 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you have been on certain medications like metformin for less than 3 months or have taken drugs that increase the risk of tendon disorders in the last 6 months.

What data supports the effectiveness of resistance training as a treatment for prediabetes?

Research shows that resistance training can improve insulin sensitivity and glycemic control, which are important for managing and preventing type 2 diabetes. It also helps reduce body fat and increase muscle strength, which are beneficial for overall health. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is resistance training safe for humans?

Resistance training is generally safe for humans when done with controlled movements and appropriate resistance levels. It can improve muscle and bone health, and may positively affect heart health and blood sugar levels, but caution is advised for individuals with cardiovascular issues due to potential blood pressure increases during intense exercise. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

How does resistance training differ from other treatments for prediabetes?

Resistance training is unique because it focuses on building muscle strength and improving body composition, which can help control blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Unlike medications, it involves physical exercises like weightlifting and does not require taking pills or injections. ^{3 4 6 10 11}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this research is to study the effects of resistance exercise training with different degrees of effort on your glucose responses (what we call glycemic control) and psychological responses.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals with conditions like insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, prediabetes, or altered incretin hormones due to polycystic ovary syndrome. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

Presence of prediabetes (fasting glycemia between 100 and 125 mg/dL or glycated hemoglobin (A1c) between 5.7 and 6.4%)

Exclusion Criteria

I have had an amputation of part of my leg.

I have kidney failure.

I cannot walk by myself.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo resistance exercise training with different degrees of effort to study effects on glycemic control and psychological responses

16 weeks

32 sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Resistance Training

Trial Overview The study investigates how high-effort and low-effort resistance exercise training affect blood sugar control and psychological well-being in participants.

Participant Groups

Group I: Low-effort Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The low-effort protocol will entail performing 6 sets per exercise, 4 repetitions per set, \~2.5 seconds per repetition, with 60 seconds between sets and exercises.

Group II: High-effort Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The high-effort protocol will entail performing 3 sets per exercise, 8 repetitions per set, \~2.5 seconds per repetition, with 120 seconds between sets and exercises.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of New Mexico

Lead Sponsor

Trials

393

Recruited

3,526,000+

Findings from Research

Resistance training, specifically hypertrophy training (HT) and muscular endurance training (MERT), significantly improves key health markers in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), including HbA1c levels, insulin sensitivity, and body composition.

Hypertrophy training showed superior benefits over muscular endurance training in improving glucose control, cardiorespiratory fitness, and lipid profiles, making it a particularly effective option for managing T2DM alongside patient preferences.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Beyond general resistance training. Hypertrophy versus muscular endurance training as therapeutic interventions in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Acosta-Manzano, P., Rodriguez-Ayllon, M., Acosta, FM., et al.[2021]

Resistance training significantly improved insulin sensitivity in nonobese patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), with a 48% increase in glucose disposal rate after 4-6 weeks of training.

The resistance training program also led to a 16% increase in quadriceps strength, but did not affect maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), indicating that resistance training can enhance muscle strength and metabolic health without necessarily improving cardiovascular fitness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Resistance training improves insulin sensitivity in NIDDM subjects without altering maximal oxygen uptake. Ishii, T., Yamakita, T., Sato, T., et al.[2022]

Resistance training (RT) significantly improves glycemic control and reduces body fat percentage and blood lipid levels in individuals at risk for type 2 diabetes, based on a systematic review of 14 trials involving 668 participants.

The study found that RT led to notable reductions in key health markers, including HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, indicating its effectiveness in managing cardiometabolic risk factors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of Resistance Training and Associated Program Characteristics in Patients at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Qadir, R., Sculthorpe, NF., Todd, T., et al.[2021]

Resistance training (RT) is effective for improving glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with a significant pooled effect size of -0.34% in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels based on a meta-analysis of 23 studies involving 954 patients.

Patients with T2DM who have a shorter duration of diabetes (less than 6 years) and higher baseline HbA1c levels (≥7.5%) benefit more from RT, while those with higher baseline BMI (≥32 kg/m²) see less improvement, suggesting that RT is particularly beneficial for early-stage T2DM patients with poor glycemic control.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

In Search of the Ideal Resistance Training Program to Improve Glycemic Control and its Indication for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Ishiguro, H., Kodama, S., Horikawa, C., et al.[2022]

In a study of 28 overweight women with type 2 diabetes, low-intensity resistance training significantly increased muscle mass and strength while reducing total and abdominal fat over a 12-week period.

Despite these positive changes in body composition and strength, the training did not lead to improvements in insulin sensitivity or cardiovascular fitness, as measured by aerobic capacity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of resistance training on muscle and body fat mass and muscle strength in type 2 diabetic women. Kwon, HR., Han, KA., Ku, YH., et al.[2022]

In a study of 105 adults with prediabetes over 12 months, both resistance training and aerobic training significantly reduced visceral adipose tissue and fasting plasma glucose levels compared to a control group.

Resistance training was particularly effective in increasing muscle mass, which was not observed with aerobic training, highlighting its unique benefits for body composition in individuals with prediabetes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of 12-Month Resistance Training on Changes in Abdominal Adipose Tissue and Metabolic Variables in Patients with Prediabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Yan, J., Dai, X., Feng, J., et al.[2022]

Regular weight-training can lead to positive adaptations in cardiovascular health, including decreased heart rate during maximal work and improved myocardial structure, which may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Resistance training can also enhance aerobic capacity and improve metabolic health markers like glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, although caution is advised for individuals with existing cardiovascular conditions due to potential blood pressure responses.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Health- and performance-related potential of resistance training. Stone, MH., Fleck, SJ., Triplett, NT., et al.[2022]

Resistance exercise training significantly benefits the musculoskeletal system and helps prevent conditions like osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and lower-back pain, making it essential for maintaining functional abilities.

Just two 15- to 20-minute sessions of resistance training per week can effectively improve various health risk factors, including insulin resistance and blood pressure, suggesting it should be a key focus in public health promotion alongside aerobic exercise.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Potential health-related benefits of resistance training. Winett, RA., Carpinelli, RN.[2022]

Resistance training (RT) can effectively help in treating obesity and reducing major cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as dyslipidaemia and type 2 diabetes, by promoting muscle mass development.

The review highlights the importance of maintaining skeletal muscle mass to mitigate metabolic disorders associated with aging and decreased physical activity, suggesting that clinicians should incorporate RT into treatment plans for obesity-related metabolic issues.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evidence for resistance training as a treatment therapy in obesity. Strasser, B., Schobersberger, W.[2021]

A 10-week moderate intensity resistance training program for 18 obese, type 2 diabetic men led to significant reductions in fasting glucose and insulin levels, indicating improved glycaemic control.

The resistance training group also experienced a 3.5% increase in fat-free mass, while the control group saw an increase in fat mass, highlighting the positive impact of resistance training on body composition.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Resistance training improves glycaemic control in obese type 2 diabetic men. Baldi, JC., Snowling, N.[2022]

In a study involving older adults with prediabetes, both high-load and low-load resistance training (RT) improved functional capacity compared to a control group, highlighting the benefits of RT for maintaining muscle function in this population.

High-load RT was found to be more effective than low-load RT in enhancing muscle strength and quality, suggesting that heavier resistance training may be particularly beneficial for older adults at risk of muscle functional loss.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Supervised high-load resistance training for improving muscle strength and quality in prediabetic older adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Tsai, SH., Cheng, HC., Liu, HW.[2022]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Beyond general resistance training. Hypertrophy versus muscular endurance training as therapeutic interventions in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. [2021]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Resistance training improves insulin sensitivity in NIDDM subjects without altering maximal oxygen uptake. [2022]

3. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of Resistance Training and Associated Program Characteristics in Patients at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. [2021]

4. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

In Search of the Ideal Resistance Training Program to Improve Glycemic Control and its Indication for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. [2022]

5. Korea (South) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of resistance training on muscle and body fat mass and muscle strength in type 2 diabetic women. [2022]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of 12-Month Resistance Training on Changes in Abdominal Adipose Tissue and Metabolic Variables in Patients with Prediabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial. [2022]

7. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Health- and performance-related potential of resistance training. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Potential health-related benefits of resistance training. [2022]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evidence for resistance training as a treatment therapy in obesity. [2021]

10. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Resistance training improves glycaemic control in obese type 2 diabetic men. [2022]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Supervised high-load resistance training for improving muscle strength and quality in prediabetic older adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial. [2022]