Performance
B · Reasonable confidenceHow much strength training works best in type 2 diabetes
Subject: Dose-response relationships of resistance training in Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
What this means
Strength training lowered HbA1c (long-term blood sugar) and fasting blood sugar compared with control groups. The largest drops were seen with 12 to 16 weeks of training and 8 to 10 repetitions per set.
Wanying Su, Meiyi Tao, Lin Ma, Ke Tang, Fang Xiong, Xuan Dai, Yuelan Qin · 2023 · Frontiers in Endocrinology
What does this rating mean?
A solid systematic review with caveats, or consistent indications with a limited scope.
Findings
Resistance training significantly reduced both HbA1c and fasting blood glucose in type 2 diabetes. The most pronounced reductions occurred with 12-16 week programmes at 70-80% 1RM, 2-3 sessions/week, 3 sets per session, 8-10 reps per set and rest intervals under 60 s — a moderately heavy, short-rest, hypertrophy-style prescription.
Who this applies to
People with type 2 diabetes.
Size of the research
26 randomised trials with 1336 participants in total.
What to keep in mind
The best settings come from comparisons between subgroups. Only the number of repetitions per set was clearly linked to the HbA1c drop in the comparative analysis.
Practical conclusion for REZA
Provides a concrete starting template for type 2 diabetes clients: 12-16 weeks at 70-80% 1RM, 2-3 sessions/week with short rest periods produced the largest blood-sugar improvement.
View method and source
Methodology
Meta-analysis
Population
26 RCTs, n=1336 adults with type 2 diabetes aged 47-73 y, diabetes duration 1-18 y
Intervention
Resistance training (8-52 weeks, 1-7 sessions/week, 1-5 sets, 8-20 repetitions, 30-600 s rest, 30-80% 1RM; machines, body weight, elastic bands) vs. control groups without physical intervention
Outcome measures
HbA1c and fasting blood glucose; meta-regression and subgroup analyses of training period, intensity, frequency, sets, repetitions and rest interval
Limitations
Very high heterogeneity (I2=87.0% for HbA1c, 88.5% for FBG); several subgroup estimates are based on fewer than three studies; large share of Chinese-database studies raises language/region bias; only one meta-regression predictor reached significance.
Original source
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1224161 · PMID: 37818093
View on PubMed →This information is general education about scientific research. It is not personal medical advice and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a doctor or other healthcare professional. If you have symptoms, a medical condition or take medication, consult your GP or treating professional before changing your training or nutrition.