Multicomponent, home-based resistance training for obese adults with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose: To investigate whether a home-based resistance training (RT) program that supplied high-quality equipment and qualified exercise specialists could provide benefits to obese patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A total of 48 obese individuals with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to either an RT (n=27) or a control group (n=21). Those in the RT group received a multigym and dumbbells and performed RT 3 days per week for 16 weeks at home. A qualified exercise specialist supervised training, with supervision being gradually decreased throughout the study. Primary outcome measures included strength and hemoglobin-A1C, whereas secondary outcome measures included other cardiovascular risk markers, key social-cognitive constructs and health-related quality of life. Results: Intention-to-treat analyses indicated a significant increase in upper and lower body strength for the RT group compared with controls (20-37% mean increases in the RT group). No significant reduction in A1C levels was observed. The RT group had unchanged high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in comparison to declines in the control group. Significant reductions in fasting insulin, and increases in RT-related self-efficacy and intentions, were also observed in the RT group. Conclusions: Supervised home-based RT with high-quality equipment was effective for improving strength, along with other secondary outcomes in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. International Journal of Obesity (2010) 34, 1733-1741; doi:10.1038/ijo.2010.109; published online 8 June 2010