The impact of upper limb resistance training intervention on the arterial stiffness among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objectives: To determine the risk benefits of moderate intensity resistance training of upper limbs in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients using augmentation index as a measure of arterial stiffness. Patients and Methods: Twenty middle aged individuals (40-60 years) with type 2 diabetes mellitus volunteered to participate. They were assigned to two groups: an upper limb training group 51.0±6.3 years old and a sedentary group 53.7±3.1 years. The upper limb group performed 12 weeks of moderate intensity resistance training (3 days/week). Results: Fasting blood glucose decreased from 135±23 to 118±23 mg/dl, total cholesterol decreased from 191±14 mg/dl to 174±11 mg/dl, serum triglyceride decreased from 168±21 mg/dl to 149±23 mg/dl (p<0.001 ), high density lipoprotein increased from 51.8±4.05 mg/dl to 56.3±4.0 mg/dl (p<0.001) and glycosylated hemoglobin decreased from 9.3±0.8% to 8.3±0.6 % (p<0.001) in upper limb resistance training group. The resting heart rate was increased from 78±6 bpm to 84±9 bpm (p<0.01) and the systolic blood pressure was increased from 122±2 mmHg to 132±35 mmHg (p<0.01) and diastolic blood pressure was increased from 81±3 mmHg to 93±6 mmHg (p<0.001) in upper limb resistance training group. Upper limb group also showed significant increase in augmentation index (1.9±2.5 to 5.2±2.4 mmHg, p<0.001) and decrease in heart rate variability (17±6 to 11.6±3.5 msec; p<0.001). Conclusion: Upper limb resistance training may lead to increase in arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Whereas, aerobic upper limb activity could offset the increase in stiffness caused by resistance training.