Effects of resistance exercise in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes is characterized by gradual loss of insulin secretion and increased insulin resistance. Due to longevity, women spend more than one third of their lives in the postmenopausal period, with estrogenic and quality of life reduction, besides several physiological disturbances. Objective: To evaluate the effects of a resistance training protocol on muscle strength, metabolic control, and quality of life in postmenopausal type 2 diabetic women. Methods: This nonrandomized clinical trial studied 34 sedentary or irregularly active women. Participants in the Control Group received routine care and in the Exercise Group performed resistance training for 90min, twice a week, with moderate intensity (50%-75% 1RM) and duration of eight weeks. Results: Resistance training reduced waist circumference by 2.31cm (p=0.025), increased handgrip strength by 1.08 kg/f (p=0.004), improved physical performance by 1.38 points (p=0.008) in the Short Physical Performance Battery and also in quality of life, with improvement in six domains of the SF-36: physical functioning 31.67% (p=0.002), physical health 58. 97% (p=0.001), pain 29.21% (p=0.023), general health status 15.81% (p=0.033), social functioning 31.29% (p=0.034) and emotional problems 36.50% (p=0.041), in addition to improving the health change 33.33% (p=0.007). Conclusions: a short-term resistance exercise program in a hospital setting improved handgrip strength, physical performance, quality of life, and reduced waist circumference in postmenopausal type 2 diabetic women.