Effects of strength training on an older adult with Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a long-term resistance training program on glycemic control, insulin resistance, body composition, muscle strength, and functional capacity in an older woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A quantitative, longitudinal, single-case quasi-experimental study with a pre–post design was conducted over a 12-month period. The participant was a clinically stable 67-year-old woman diagnosed with T2DM. The intervention consisted of a supervised resistance training program performed five times per week with systematic load progression. Primary outcomes included fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and insulin resistance estimated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). Secondary outcomes comprised body composition assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis, muscle strength evaluated through handgrip dynamometry and one-repetition maximum tests, and functional capacity measured using standardized tests of mobility, balance, and physical performance. After 12 months of intervention, fasting plasma glucose decreased by 24 mg/dL, HbA1c by 1.22%, and HOMA-IR by 0.98, approaching clinically acceptable values. Body composition analysis revealed a reduction in fat mass of 8.7 kg and an increase in lean mass of 4.3 kg. Substantial improvements were observed in upper- and lower-body muscle strength, as well as in gait speed, Timed Up and Go performance, single-leg balance, and sit-to-stand test outcomes. These findings indicate that long-term supervised resistance training is associated with clinically relevant improvements in metabolic control and functional capacity in older adults with T2DM.