Functional high-intensity training improves pancreatic {beta}-cell function in adults with type 2 diabetes

We examined the effect of a novel, 6-wk CrossFit functional high-intensity training (F-HIT) intervention on β-cell function in 12 sedentary adults with clinically diagnosed T2D (54 ± 2 yr, 166 ± 16 mg/dl fasting glucose). Supervised training was completed 3 days/wk, comprising functional movements performed at a high intensity in a variety of 10- to 20-min sessions. All subjects completed an oral glucose tolerance test and anthropometric measures at baseline and following the intervention. The mean disposition index, a validated measure of β-cell function, was significantly increased (PRE: 8.4 ± 3.1, POST: 11.5 ± 3.5, P = 0.02) after the intervention. Insulin processing inefficiency in the β-cell, expressed as the fasting proinsulin-to-insulin ratio, was also reduced (PRE: 2.40 ± 0.37, POST: 1.78 ± 0.30, P = 0.04). Increased β-cell function during the early-phase response to glucose correlated significantly with reductions in abdominal body fat (R2 = 0.56, P = 0.005) and fasting plasma alkaline phosphatase (R2 = 0.55, P = 0.006). Mean total body-fat percentage decreased significantly (: –1.17 0.30%, P = 0.003), whereas lean body mass was preserved (: +0.05 ± 0.68 kg, P = 0.94). We conclude that F-HIT is an effective exercise strategy for improving β-cell function in adults with T2D.
Source: AJP: Endocrinology and Metabolism - Category: Endocrinology Authors: Tags: Research Article Source Type: research