October 2024

Reference: Beaudry KM, Surdi JC, Pancevski K, Tremblay C, Devries MC. Greater glycemic control following low-load, high-repetition resistance exercise compared with moderate-intensity continuous exercise in males and females: a randomized control trial. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2024;49(7):943-955. doi:10.1139/apnm-2023-0353

Take home message
  • Low-load, high-repetition resistance exercise resulted in greater post-exercise control of blood sugar levels than moderate-intensity continuous exercise in young, recreationally active males and females.
  • This provides proof-of-concept that low-load, high-repetition resistance exercise is a feasible exercise strategy to improve control of blood sugar levels.
Background
  • Acute exercise can increase control of blood sugar levels for up to 72 hours following the exercise bout, depending on the exercise type, intensity, and duration.
  • However, there is conflicting evidence regarding the most effective form of exercise to improve blood sugar levels, and whether the effect of exercise on the control of blood sugar levels is the same between the sexes.
  • The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of an acute bout of low-load, high-repetition resistance exercise and moderate-intensity continuous exercise on the control of blood sugar levels in young males and females.
How the study was done
  • 12 male (mean age 22 ± 3) and 12 female (mean age 21 ± 3), recreationally active adults participated.
  • Participants performed acute bouts of moderate-intensity continuous exercise (30mins at 65% ̇ VO2peak) and low-load, high-repetition resistance exercise (3 sets of 25-35 reps at 30% of maximal strength; i.e., 1 repetition maximum) in randomized order.
  • Blood and muscle biopsies were taken immediately pre- and post-exercise.
  • 90 minutes after exercise, participants underwent a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test.
What the researchers found
  • Blood sugar level during the oral glucose tolerance test was lower following low-load, high-repetition resistance exercise compared to moderate-intensity continuous exercise, with no difference between males and females.
  • There were no sex differences in blood sugar levels following either exercise session. However, once blood sugar level was normalized to body weight and lean mass, we found that males had higher blood sugar levels during the post-exercise oral glucose tolerance tests compared to females.
  • There were no differences in the total content of proteins involved in insulin-independent or dependent signaling. However, activation of TBC1D1 and ACC (two proteins involved in insulin signaling/muscle metabolism) were higher after moderate-intensity continuous exercise compared with low-load, high-repetition resistance exercise.
Conclusion
  • Low-load, high-repetition resistance exercise is an effective exercise modality to improve post-exercise glycemic control in both males and females. This is significant as low-load, high-repetition resistance exercise can also promote muscle hypertrophy and thus may be a favorable exercise modality to induce numerous adaptations and help individuals meet current physical activity guidelines.