The Effect of Aerobic versus Resistance Training on Insulin Action in Overweight and Obese Adults STRRIDE AT/RT: A Randomized Controlled Trial: 2948

The risk for cardiovascular disease increases with the development of insulin resistance. Physical activity, particularly endurance-oriented aerobic training (AT) has proven effective in preventing and ameliorating insulin resistance. The benefits of resistance training (RT) are far reaching but less is known concerning any impact on insulin action when compared with aerobic training. PURPOSE: To compare the effect of RT and AT on fasting indices of insulin action (insulin, glucose and HOMA-IR) independently and in combination. METHODS: Overweight or obese subjects (n=126) were randomized into three supervised six month training groups as follows: 1) Resistance Training (RT, n=43) {three days/wk, three sets/day, 8-12 repetitions/set}, 2) Aerobic Training (AT, n=42), {calorically equivalent to ∼12 miles/wk at 65-80% peak VO2}, 3) Aerobic Training plus Resistance Training (AT/RT, n=39). Fasting values for insulin and glucose were obtained ∼24 hours following the final training bout. RESULTS: There was a significant (P < 0.05) 15% improvement in HOMA-IR in the AT group. The improvement was diminished below the level of significance in the AT/RT group and absent all together in the RT group. As expected this pattern was reflected in fasting insulin and fasting glucose was not altered in any of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that the RT used in the current study had no effect on insulin action and that RT in combination with AT diminished the positive change evident with aerobic exercise training alone in fasting indices of insulin action.