Resistance Training Curbs Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
In the study, 11 elderly type 2 diabetics with clinical evidence of peripheral neuropathy engaged in roughly 30 minutes of supervised resistance training of the lower extremities three times per week for 12 weeks. “This was a pilot study to see if this was doable and to see if we could get some good data –and we did,” Dr. Kurian said.
Resistance training was associated with improved muscle strength in the calf (p < 0.05) and hamstring (p < 0.005) and a reduction in waist circumference (p < 0.01), systolic (p < 0.05) and diastolic BP (p < 0.01), and an increase in HDL cholesterol (p < 0.01).
Resistance training also led to improvements in scores on the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument and the Neuropathy Disability Score (p < 0.05 for both). "Vibration sense in the foot measured by the on/off method" was also improved in both feet (p < 0.05), Dr. Kurian and colleagues note in a meeting abstract.
Based on these results, the investigators suggest considering resistance training in the management of type 2 diabetics with peripheral neuropathy.
Sure, this is a small study, and we must await confirmation of the results. Nonetheless, I favor resistance training for all adults. Few of us have jobs which help us maintain muscle mass. Resistance training works to slow muscle mass loss, increase metabolism, and decrease injuries. It might help in other ways – like this article suggests.
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1 Response to Resistance training for diabetic neuropathy
Living With Diabetes
June 8th, 2004 at 9:33 pm
More positive things on resistance training. Personally I find that resistance training reduces my insulin needs. DB’s Medical Rants » Resistance training for diabetic neuropathy…