Comparison of resistance training among individuals living with diabetes, prediabetes, and without diabetes: 2017-2023 BRFSS.

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to compare the weekly resistance training (RT) frequency between people with diabetes, prediabetes, and without diabetes.

Methods: A total of 536,703 participants from 2017 to 2023 Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System were included in the analysis. Unadjusted and adjusted Poisson regression was performed to compare weekly resistance training frequency among participants with different diabetes statuses (without diabetes, prediabetes, and with diabetes).

Results: 89.28 % (95 % CI [89.11, 89.45]) of participants did not have diabetes, 1.67 % (95 % CI [1.59, 1.73]) had prediabetes, and 9.10 % (95 % CI [8.91, 9.22]) had diabetes. Across the sample, the averages weekly RT frequency among the sample was 1.73 times (95 % CI [1.71, 1.74]). Participants without diabetes had the highest weekly RT frequency of 1.79 (95 % CI [1.71, 1.74]) times. Participants with prediabetes had the weekly RT frequency of 1.38 (95 % CI [1.26, 1.50]) times and participants with diabetes had the lowest average frequency between the three groups with 1.19 (95 % CI [1.15, 1.23]) times per week. The unadjusted and adjusted linear regression found that people with diabetes had less weekly RT frequency than participants without diabetes (β=-.60, p < .01; αβ=-.23, p < .01). Participants with prediabetes also had lower weekly RT frequency in the unadjusted regression compared to participants without diabetes (β=-.41, p < .01).

Conclusion: People with prediabetes and diabetes might face personal and environmental barriers in engaging in RT, leading to lower weekly RT frequency compared to those without diabetes. There is a need to overcome barriers and continue promote RT among people with and without diabetes.