Resistance training enhances metabolic and muscular health and reduces systemic inflammation in middle-aged and older adults with type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 41106502 · doi:10.1016/j.diabres.2025.112941
What was done
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 43 randomized controlled trials evaluated the effects of resistance training on insulin resistance, muscle function, and systemic inflammation in adults aged 50 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The pooled analysis included 2,012 participants (55.8% women, mean age 57.8 ± 8.4 years, mean BMI 30.9 ± 3.8 kg/m²).
What was found
Resistance training led to significant improvements in insulin (MD -1.35 µIU/mL), HOMA-IR (MD -1.15), fasting glucose (MD -6.99 mg/dL), HbA1c (MD -0.55%), BMI (MD -0.37 kg/m²), and muscle mass (MD 0.89 kg). Upper-body strength (SMD 2.28) and lower-body strength (SMD 2.02) showed large increases. For inflammatory markers, C-reactive protein was significantly reduced (SMD -0.80), but changes in TNF-α and IL-6 were not statistically significant.
Why it matters
This review provides quantitative evidence that resistance training concurrently improves glycemic regulation, functional strength, muscle mass, and systemic inflammation in older adults with type 2 diabetes.
Limits
The abstract does not provide confidence intervals, study heterogeneity statistics, or details on exercise protocols (intensity, frequency, duration). Anti-inflammatory benefits were limited to CRP and did not extend to IL-6 or TNF-α.
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