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South Pacific Islanders resist type 2 diabetes: comparison of aerobic and resistance training

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two exercise modalities for improving glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and associated clinical outcomes in Polynesian adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and visceral obesity. Twenty-six adults were randomized to receive resistance training or aerobic training, 3×/week, for 16 weeks. Dependent variables collected before and after intervention included: diabetes markers including HbA1c, blood lipids, relevant cytokines (C-reactive protein, adiponectin), and anthropometric and hemodynamic indices. Eighteen participants (72% female; age: 49.3 ± 5.3 years; waist circumference: 128.7 ± 18.7 cm) completed the intervention and follow-up assessments. Body mass index in the whole cohort at baseline indicated Class III (morbid) obesity (43.8 ± 9.5 kg/m2). Compliance to training was 73 ± 19 and 67 ± 18% in the aerobic and resistance training groups, respectively. HbA1c remained elevated in both groups after training. Aerobic training reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure and increased serum triglycerides (all P < 0.05). No other exercise-induced adaptations were noted within or between groups. Post hoc analysis using pooled data indicated that higher adherence to training (≥75% attendance, n = 8) significantly reduced waist circumference (P < 0.001) and tended to reduce body weight and fasting insulin (all P ≤ 0.11) versus lower adherence (<75% attendance, n = 10). In conclusion, this study did not demonstrate an improvement in HbA1c with exercise in morbidly obese Polynesian people. Future investigations involving exercise regimens that are more practicable and which involve greater frequency and duration of training may be required to induce significant and clinically meaningful adaptations in this unique diabetes population.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a Massey University Research Fund grant. We wish to thank all the participants for their hard work and dedication and without whom this study would not have been possible. We wish to thank Porirua City Fitness for providing the host venue, and ongoing staff and resource support for the study, Capital and Coast District Health Board for providing physical hospital resources and clinical staff support, and Roche Diagnostics for providing Accu-Chek blood glucose meters. We are also grateful to Kitiona Tauira, Pastor Teremoana Tauira, Pastors Ken and Tai Roach, Reverend Tavita Filemoni, National Heart Foundation, Pacific Health Services, Pacific Diabetes Society, Ora Toa Health Services, Waitangirua Pharmacy, Waitangirua Health Centre, Maraeroa Health Clinic, Whitby doctors, Titahi Bay doctors, and Newlands Medical Centre for their guidance and support from start to finish. We thank our on-site exercise leaders Amy Doyle, Steve French, Moana Jarden-Osborne, Bevan Kahui, Shelly Mather, Mike Ritete, and Mike Toe Toe for their diligent supervision and assistance, all of which maximized participant safety.

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None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand

    William R. Sukala, Rachel Page & David S. Rowlands

  2. University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand

    Jeremy Krebs

  3. Faculty of Engineering, Health, Science and the Environment, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia

    Isabelle Lys

  4. Wellington Hospital, Capital and Coast District Health Board, Wellington, New Zealand

    Murray Leikis

  5. City Fitness, Porirua, New Zealand

    Jan Pearce

  6. School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown, Australia

    Birinder S. Cheema

  7. School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South, DC, NSW 1797, Australia

    Birinder S. Cheema

Authors
  1. William R. Sukala
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  2. Rachel Page
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  3. David S. Rowlands
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  4. Jeremy Krebs
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  5. Isabelle Lys
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  6. Murray Leikis
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  7. Jan Pearce
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  8. Birinder S. Cheema
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Birinder S. Cheema.

Additional information

Communicated by Susan A. Ward.

Australian Clinical Trials Registry #: 12609001085268.

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Sukala, W.R., Page, R., Rowlands, D.S. et al. South Pacific Islanders resist type 2 diabetes: comparison of aerobic and resistance training. Eur J Appl Physiol 112, 317–325 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-1978-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-1978-0

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