Introduction: Resistance effort has a beneficial effect on muscle mass, body composition, bone density, and cardiac parameters. It is also a modulator of the inflammatory reaction. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of 3 months of resistance training on muscle strength, irisin levels, and metabolic parameters in patients with long-term type 1 diabetes.
Material and methods: Eleven type 1 male diabetic patients with low levels of physical activity were recruited, with mean age 38 ± 6 years, body mass index (BMI) 28.4 ± 2.6 kg/m², and diabetes duration 23 ± 7 years. All subjects participated in 60-minute resistance training sessions twice a week, for three months. At baseline and after 3 months in all patients, maximal muscle strength level, serum irisin concentration, metabolic control parameters, and anthropometric measures were assessed.
Results: After 3 months there was a statistically significant increase of maximal muscle strength in comparison to baseline. There was no significant change in serum irisin concentration, HbA1c, or other assessed parameters.
Conclusion: A 3-month resistance training programme in patients with long-term type 1 diabetes and low level of physical activity significantly affects their maximum strength level. This indicates that people with diabetes are more adaptive to additional loads, which allows them to increase their load faster.
Keywords: exercise; irisin; resistance training; type 1 diabetes.