Dose-response relationships of resistance training in Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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

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, 6-10 reps per set and rest intervals under 60 s — a moderately heavy, short-rest, hypertrophy-style prescription.

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