A Randomized Community-based Exercise Training Trial in African American Men: Aerobic Plus Resistance Training and Insulin Sensitivity in African American Men

Purpose To examine the impact of a community-based exercise training intervention on cardiometabolic outcomes in African American men who have a family history of type 2 diabetes. Methods The Aerobic Plus Resistance Training and Insulin Sensitivity in African American Men (ARTIIS) study randomized participants into either an exercise training intervention or an information only control group for 5 months. The exercise training intervention consisted of 150 min of moderate intensity aerobic activity and 2 d of resistance training per week, consistent with the current federal physical activity guidelines. Participants in the control group received monthly newsletters featuring topics focused heavily on type 2 diabetes education and prevention. Outcome data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANCOVA models and incorporating both intention-to-treat and per-protocol principles. Results Adherence to the aerobic and resistance training prescriptions were between 77% and 79%. Despite significant within group improvements in glucose and insulin levels (fasting, 2 h, 2 h minus baseline) and Homeostatic Model 2-Insulin Resistance, there were not significant between group differences. There was a marginally significant between group difference for Homeostatic Model 2-Beta (P < 0.06), and significant between group differences in peak cardiorespiratory fitness (P < 0.001) and waist circumference (P = 0.03). Conclusions These findings suggest that exercise training in accordance with the current national recommendations is effective in improving some health parameters in middle-age African American men who have a family history of type 2 diabetes, but did not have a significant impact on glycemic status.