SWEAT, STRENGTH, AND SUGAR: THE BEST EXERCISE FOR DIFFERENT TYPE 2 DIABETES BODY TYPES

Abstract

Diabetes was the eighth leading cause of death in the United States in 2021, with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affecting approximately 462 million people globally (Figure 1)1,2. T2DM is characterized by the interplay of insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction, resulting in chronic hyperglycemia. The rise in T2DM is linked to aging, global industrialization, poor dietary habits, and sedentary lifestyles-all of which contribute to higher body mass index. Effective T2DM management strategies include non-pharmacological interventions such as increased physical activity and dietary changes, and pharmacological interventions such as oral medications and injectable therapies3. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a key biomarker of long-term glucose control, reflecting average blood glucose levels over approximately three months. This thesis examines the effectiveness of resistance training (RT), aerobic exercise (AER), and the combination of the two modalities (COMB) in lowering HbA1c among individuals with T2DM across different body compositions. A literature review analyzed studies from PubMed and Scopus, retrieving six studies for overweight/obese individuals with T2DM and one for non-obese individuals with T2DM. Findings indicate that RT is most effective in reducing HbA1c in non-obese individuals (5.79 percent change), while COMB yields the greatest reduction of HbA1c in overweight/obese individuals (9.84 ± 0.037 percent change). These results highlight the need for personalized exercise regimens based on body composition to optimize glycemic control.