The effect of a home-based strength training program on type 2 diabetes risk in obese Latino boys

Objective: To determine the effects of a home-based strength training (HBST) intervention on insulin sensitivity (SI), compensatory acute insulin response and beta-cell function, body composition measures, and maximum strength in obese Latino boys. Methods: A total of 26 obese Latino males aged between 14 and 18 years were randomized to either a twice-weekly (n = 15) or a control group (C; n = 15) for 16 weeks. HBST for 16 weeks, composed of two 1-h sessions per week. Outcome measures were assessed pre- and post-intervention/control condition and included SI, acute insulin response to glucose (AIR) and disposition index (DI), fasting glucose, 2-h glucose, body composition using waist-hip circumferences, body mass index (BMI), dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan, blood pressure, and strength by 1-repetition maximum. A repeated measures GLM was used to assess differences in changes in outcome measures, between the C and the HBST groups. Results: There were no significant overall intervention effects on any of the outcome variables (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that an HBST does not improve SI, maximal strength or decrease adiposity in obese Latino boys.