Even a single high-intensity resistance training session benefits endothelial function in T2DM

Endothelial function in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) appears to improve after only a single session of high-intensity resistance training, as shown in the results of a systematic review.

Researchers searched seven electronic databases for studies that involved people with T2DM and in which the effects of different resistance training intensities vs control conditions on endothelial function were evaluated.

The initial search yielded a total of 2,991 studies, of which 29 articles met the eligibility criteria. Four studies were included in the systematic review.

In one study, there appeared to be a significant increase in blood flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery immediately after a single high-intensity resistance training session (RPE ∼ 5 “hard”; 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 3.0 percent to 5.9 percent; p<0.05), at 60 minutes after the session (95 percent CI, 0.8 percent to 4.2 percent; p<0.05), and at 120 minutes after (95 percent CI, 0.7 percent to 3.1 percent; p<0.05) when compared with the control condition.

However, the observed increase in blood flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery was not significantly demonstrated in three longitudinal studies with a duration of more than 8 weeks.

Further investigation is needed to establish the optimal intensity and effectiveness for high-intensity resistance training necessary to improve endothelial function in T2DM.