Effects of Acute Resistance Exercise with and without Whole-Body Electromyostimulation and Endurance Exercise on the Postprandial Glucose Regulation in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Crossover Study.

Nutrients. 2021;13(12)
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Over 460 million people worldwide suffer from Type 2 Diabetes. Previous studies have found that endurance training combined with resistance training increases insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. Due to its ability to enhance physical performance and to save time during exercise sessions, electromyostimulation is becoming increasingly popular in health and recreational sports. Using a randomised crossover design, the study measures the effects of different exercise strategies and intensities on glucose regulation post-prandially. To assess the effect of post-prandial glucose regulation on Type 2 Diabetic patients, six patients performed 20 minutes of resistance exercise with whole-body electromyostimulation, conventional exercise without whole-body electromyostimulation, and endurance exercise. All types of exercise were effective at lowering blood glucose levels, even at a short duration of 20 minutes. Electrical stimulation did not affect the effect of exercise in any significant way. It is therefore necessary to conduct further robust long-term studies on the effects of electromyostimulation and resistance or endurance training on lowering postprandial blood glucose levels. The results of this study can be used by healthcare professionals to better understand the relationship between exercise and glucose regulation, which may be useful when making clinical decisions for people with Type 2 Diabetes or obesity.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Long hyperglycemic episodes trigger complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Postprandial glucose excursions can be reduced by acute physical activity. However, it is not yet clear which type of exercise has the best effect on postprandial glucose levels. METHODS Six T2DM patients participated in three 20-min moderate-intensity exercise sessions after breakfast in a randomized order: resistance exercise with whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS), resistance exercise without electromyostimulation (RES) and cycling endurance exercise (END). A continuous glucose monitoring system recorded glucose dynamics. RESULTS Postprandially-increased glucose levels decreased in all cases. Time to baseline (initial value prior to meal intake) was quite similar for WB-EMS, RES and END. Neither glucose area under the curve (AUC), nor time in range from the start of the experiment to its end (8 h later) differed significantly. A Friedman analysis of variance, however, revealed an overall significant difference for AUC in the post-exercise recovery phase (END seems to have superior effects, but post-hoc tests failed statistical significance). CONCLUSIONS There are no notable differences between the effects of the different types of exercise on glucose levels, especially when comparing values over a longer period of time.

Lifestyle medicine

Fundamental Clinical Imbalances : Hormonal ; Structural
Environmental Inputs : Diet ; Physical exercise
Personal Lifestyle Factors : Nutrition ; Exercise and movement
Functional Laboratory Testing : Not applicable

Methodological quality

Jadad score : 2
Allocation concealment : No

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