Twice-weekly progressive resistance training decreases abdominal fat and improves insulin sensitivity in older men with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE —To evaluate the influence of a twice-weekly progressive resistance training (PRT) program, without a concomitant weight loss diet, on abdominal fat and insulin sensitivity in older men with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS —Nine older men (aged 66.6 ± 3.1) with type 2 diabetes participated in a 16-week PRT supervised program (50–80% of the one repetition maximum), for all main muscle groups. Basal glycemia, HbA 1c , diet, habitual physical activity, body composition, and upper/lower maximal strength were measured. Insulin sensitivity was determined according to Bergman’s minimal model procedure and abdominal fat was obtained by computed tomography. The measurements were taken 4 weeks before training (−4), immediately before training (0), and at 8-week intervals (i.e., weeks 8 and 16) during the 16-week training period. RESULTS —No significant variation was observed in any of the above selected parameters during the 4-week control period. After PRT, both leg and arm maximal strength increased significantly by 17.1 and 18.2%, respectively. Visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat decreased significantly by 10.3% (from 249.5 ± 97.9 to 225.6 ± 96.6 cm 3 , P 3 , P 4 · min −1 · μU −1 · ml −1 , P P P CONCLUSIONS —Two sessions per week of PRT, without a concomitant weight loss diet, significantly improves insulin sensitivity and fasting glycemia and decreases abdominal fat in older men with type 2 diabetes.