Effects of a 12-Week Resistance Training Program on Glycemic Control and Insulin Sensitivity in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes in Akwa Ibom State

Abstract

The study examined the effects of a 12-week resistance training program on glycemic control and insulin sensitivity among adults with type 2 diabetes in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The purpose of the study was to determine whether structured resistance training could improve fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and insulin sensitivity in this population. The study was guided by three research questions and three corresponding null hypotheses. A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design was adopted. Forty adults aged 30–60 years with diagnosed type 2 diabetes were purposively selected and assigned to an intervention group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). The intervention group participated in a supervised 12-week resistance training program conducted 2–3 times per week, while the control group received usual medical care without structured exercise. Data were collected using standardized instruments, including a glucometer for fasting blood glucose, laboratory assays for HbA1c, and fasting insulin measurements used to compute insulin sensitivity via the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-tests at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed significant reductions in fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels, as well as a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity among participants in the intervention group, while no significant changes were observed in the control group. These results indicate that resistance training is an effective non-pharmacological strategy for improving metabolic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. The findings imply that integrating resistance training into routine diabetes management could enhance treatment outcomes and reduce complication risk. It is recommended that healthcare providers and policymakers promote structured resistance training as part of standard diabetes care in Akwa Ibom State.