Resistance Exercise: A Key Strategy for Regulating Blood Sugar and Preventing Prediabetes

With the rising prevalence of prediabetes, a condition characterized by elevated blood sugar and insulin levels, effective prevention and management strategies are more important than ever. While we all know diet and exercise play an important role, the importance of resistance exercise is becoming apparent as more research interest and time is devoted to the subject. Often overshadowed by aerobic activity, strength training has been shown to play a crucial role in regulating blood sugar and improving insulin sensitivity — key factors in preventing or reversing prediabetes.

How Resistance Exercise Works

1. It Increases Muscle Mass: Muscles are major consumers of glucose, and increasing muscle mass through resistance training helps the body use blood sugar more efficiently.
2. It Improves Insulin Sensitivity: Regular resistance exercise enhances the body’s response to insulin, helping muscles absorb glucose with less reliance on insulin. Even a single session of strength training can improve insulin sensitivity for up to 48 hours.
3. It Reduces Visceral Fat: Resistance training helps reduce abdominal fat (specifically fat around the organs), which contributes to insulin resistance. Lowering visceral fat improves overall metabolic function.
4. It Helps Control Post-Meal Blood Sugar: Resistance exercises performed after meals help mitigate spikes in blood sugar, preventing postprandial hyperglycemia, a common issue in prediabetes.

Evidence Supporting Resistance Training

Studies show that resistance exercise significantly improves blood sugar control in people with prediabetes. A 12-week strength training program has been shown to reduce HbA1c (the estimated average blood sugar over three months) and improve insulin sensitivity. When combined with aerobic exercise, resistance training is particularly effective in reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

How to Get Started:

• Frequency: Aim for two to three sessions per week, 20-30 minutes at a time.
• Intensity: Start with moderate weight and gradually increase the load as your strength builds.
• Exercise Types: Focus on compound movements (e.g., squats, lunges, push-ups) that target large muscle groups. Alternate focus between days on upper body/lower body.
• Combine with Aerobic Exercise: Adding cardio enhances overall metabolic health. This can look like a brisk walk before your training session, or adding sprints, jumping jacks or 20 minutes of cycling.

Incorporating resistance exercise into your routine can feel daunting at first, but it is a powerful, effective way to manage blood sugar, improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. By building muscle, reducing fat and improving glucose control, strength training is a cornerstone of prediabetes prevention.