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Weight training linked to lowered risk for type 2 diabetes in men
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Physical activity has long been known to benefit those at risk for developing diabetes. However, a new study suggests that weight training in particular was associated with a significantly lower risk for type 2 diabetes in men. This finding was independent of aerobic exercise, researchers found, though a combination of weight training and aerobic exercise resulted in even greater results.
In a prospective cohort study of 32,002 men from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (observed from 1990-2008), researchers assessed the influence of combining weight training and aerobic exercise and its link to the risk for type 2 diabetes in US men aged 40 to 75 years.
Those who reported a history of diabetes, cancer, myocardial infarction (MI), angina, coronary artery bypass graft, other heart conditions, stroke, or pulmonary embolism on a baseline questionnaire were excluded from the study.
Afterwards, patients completed additional questionnaires every 2 years for 18 years, which summarized their weekly time spent on weight training and aerobic exercise (including brisk walking, jogging, running, bicycling, swimming, tennis, squash and calisthenics/rowing), researchers wrote.
Anders Grøntved, MPH, MSc, from the department of nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health, and colleagues documented 2,278 new cases of type 2 diabetes during 18 years of follow-up.
According to data, 14% of men reported weight training at baseline, a percentage which increased with time to 29% in 2006. Additionally, men who reported weight training for at least 150 minutes per week at baseline, engaged in more aerobic exercise, watched less television consumed less alcohol and were less likely to smoke. Moreover, the men consumed healthier foods compared with men who reported no weight training, researchers wrote.
Men who participated in weight training for at least 150 minutes per week had a percent lower risk for type 2 diabetes of 34% (95% CI, 7%-54%), as well as men who participated in aerobic exercise (52%; 95% CI, 45%-58%). Those who participated in both routines experienced greater outcomes (59% lower risk for type 2 diabetes; 95% CI, 39%-73%), according to data.
In multivariable-adjusted models, a dose-response relationship was discovered between an increasing amount of time spent on weight training or aerobic exercise and lower risk for type 2 diabetes (P<.001).
Further research should be considered to determine the effect of duration, type and intensity of weight training on type 2 diabetes, researchers concluded.
Disclosure: This study was supported by grants DK58845 (Dr. Hu) and CA55075 (Dr. Willett) from the National Institutes of Health.
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