Effect of Eight Weeks of Resistance Training in Hypoxic Conditions on Hemodynamic, Hematological and Maximum Strength Changes in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Elahe  Malekyian Fini; Sajad  Ahmadizad; Morteza  Salimian

doi:10.18502/ssu.v33i8.20051

Elahe Malekyian Fini Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Kashan University, Kashan, Iran.
Sajad Ahmadizad Department of Biological Sciences in Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
Morteza Salimian Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ssu.v33i8.20051

Keywords: Resistance training, Maximum power, Blood flow restriction, Blood glucose, Type 2 diabetes.

Abstract

Introduction: Hemorheological factors have been confirmed to be compromised in diabetes. The study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of resistance training in hypoxia conditions on hemodynamic, hematological and maximal strength changes in type 2 diabetes patients.

Methods: The study was both experimental and developmental, involving 41 patients with type 2 diabetes who were divided into three different resistance training groups: one with blood flow restriction (RTBFR), another without blood flow restriction (RTnonBFR), and a control group. The participants in the RTnonBFR and RTBFR groups performed the exercise for 8 weeks at intensities of 20, 40, 60, and 80 percent of 1RM and 20 and 30 percent of 1RM, respectively. The rest interval between sets for each group was 0.5 to 1 minute, with 30 seconds of rest between each set, respectively. The participants in the control group maintained a typical lifestyle during this period. Hemodynamic and hematological indices were measured before and 48 hours after following the last training session. An analysis of variance with a between-group factor and LSD post hoc test was utilized to investigate the effect of the intervention on quantitative factors.

Results: Resistance training both with and without blood flow restriction resulted in an increase in maximum strength compared to the control group (P<0.05), and systolic blood pressure in the RT_BFR group showed a significant decrease compared to other groups (P<0.05). HbA1c increased in the control group relative to the two exercise groups, although it was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Glucose levels in the RT_nonBFR group showed a notable decrease compared to those in the RT_BFR group (P < 0.05). RBC and Hb factor in RT_BFR group increased significantly compared to other groups (P < 0.05). Blood glucose levels in the RT_nonBFR group exhibited a decrease compared to the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The use of low-intensity resistance training with blood flow restriction, given the minimal alternations in hemodynamic indices and some hematological and platelet indices, may serve as an effective and low-cost mechanism in preventing the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes. As a non-pharmacological treatment system and alternative to high-intensity resistance training to prevent muscle atrophy, especially diabetic patients