The Effect of Eight Weeks of Combined Aerobic and Resistance Exercise on Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG), Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) and HbA1c in Pre-Diabetic Patients

Background and Objective: Lifestyles comprising of physical inactivity coupled with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and pre-diabetes are the major global public health challenges. Recently, sport sciences have garnered attention as to find new methods for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of combined exercise on impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance and HbA1c in pre-diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: 30 men with pre-diabetes voluntarily took part in this study and were divided into two groups: pre-diabetes exercise and pre-diabetes control. The pre-diabetes exercise group participated in an aerobic (40 to 70 percent of VO2max) and resistance exercise (50 to 70 percent of 1RM) program for 8 weeks. The control group continued their daily activities and normal life. Changes in the serum levels of fasting glucose, two-hour glucose tolerance and HbA1c were then compared between the groups. Results: At the end of the study, fasting glucose levels, two-hour glucose tolerance and the percentage of HbA1c were significantly improved in the pre-diabetes exercise group. Fasting glucose levels, two-hour glucose tolerance and the percentage of HbA1c did not decrease in the control group. Conclusion: Aerobic and resistance exercise are effective on impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance and glycosylated hemoglobin A in pre-diabetes patients. This effective method could bring pre-diabetes patients closer to their therapeutic targets regarding FBS, OGTT and glycosylated hemoglobin A. In this study aerobic and resistance exercise possibly prevent the progression of pre-diabetes and multiple complications of type 2 diabetes. However, further studies are needed to draw firm conclusions.