08 Aug 2012
Research: Weight training 'reduces risk' of type 2 diabetes in men
BY Pete Hayman
Image: Weight training can reduce the diabetes risk
New research led by Anders Grøntved of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, US, has found that weight training reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in men.
More than 32,000 male health professionals participated in the study, the findings from which were published by the Archives of Internal Medicine - a JAMA Network publication.
The team examined the association of weight training and the risk of T2DM in all participants every two years for 18 years as part of the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.
According to study background, regular physical activity is a "cornerstone" in the prevention and management of T2DM but weight training's role in primary prevention was unknown.
It was found that men who participated in weight training and aerobic exercise for at least two-and-a-half hours each week had the greatest reduction in risk of T2DM.
The authors said: "These results support that weight training serves as an important alternative for individuals who have difficulty adhering to aerobic exercise.
"Further research should examine the effect of duration, type and intensity of weight training on T2DM risk in greater detail."
However, the authors said the results may not be applicable to women or other ethnic or racial groups of men due to the nature of the study, which used mostly white health professionals.
Click here for more information about the research.
Image: holbox/shutterstock.com
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