RESUMO
The Indian population faces a high risk for diabetes because of a high genetic predisposition and susceptibility to environmental insults. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of 16 weeks of Progressive resistance training [PRT] and Aerobic exercise [AE] on glycemic control, blood pressure, heart rate, muscle strength and control of type 2 diabetics. A total of 30 type 2 diabetics, 14 females and 16 males, aged between 40-70 years, were randomly assigned to the 16 weeks supervised PRT [n=10], or AE [n=10] or Control group [n=10]. Pre- and post-outcome measures included glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c], fasting blood glucose [FBG], blood pressure [BP], heart rate [HR] and isometric muscle strength of the right hamstring and quadriceps muscles. Plasma glycosylated hemoglobin levels decreased significantly [p=0.002] both in the PRT [7.57 +/- 1.4 to 5.74 +/- 0.8] and in AE group [8.11 +/- 0.9 to 6.78 +/- 1.3]. FBG decreased by 39.9% in PRT group by14.3% in AE group and by 18.6% in the control group. PRT group exhibited significant reductions in blood pressure [p=0.002 for systolic BP, p<0.001 for diastolic BP] and heart rate [p=0.007]. Improvements in isometric muscle strength and balance were seen in both exercise groups. PRT is a more effective form of exercise training than AE for improving glycemic control, blood pressure and heart rate in type 2 diabetics