Weightlifting Outperforms โRunning inโ Combating Type 2 Diabetes,โ Study Finds
A new study from the University of Virginia suggests that weightlifting may be more effective than running in preventing and managing type 2 diabetes.Researchers compared the โฃeffects ofโ enduranceโฃ training versus strength training in mice fed aโค high-fat diet, mimicking โฃa typical Western diet high in fast food.
Two groups of mice โwere studied. One group engaged in voluntary running on a treadmill (endurance training), while the other performed aโข weightlifting exercise – lifting an โคincreasingly heavy lid to access their food, eventually lifting weights equivalent to 240% of their body โweight. Both exercise regimens successfully prevented weight gain.
However, the resultsโ revealed notable differences in โ how each exercise impacted the mice. Weightlifting provedโฃ substantially more effective at โขreducingโข dangerous belly fat, a key risk factor for developing โฃtype 2 diabetes. Running,conversely,primarily boosted brown adipose tissue (whichโฃ burnsโ calories) andโ improvedโ overall endurance.
The โmost โขstriking difference emerged in blood sugar control. Mice in the weightlifting โgroup demonstrated substantially improved insulin sensitivityโ and glucose tolerance – the very functionsโฃ impaired in diabetes – despite showing only modest gains in muscle size or strength. โค
Researchers believeโ this is โdue to the โขdistinct metabolic effects of each exercise type. While โฃrunning primarily burns calories during the activity,weightlifting appears to fundamentally alter how the bodyโฃ processes sugars and utilizes insulin.
The study highlights that strength training mayโ offer a unique advantage โin diabetes prevention โคandโฃ management.However,experts generally recommend incorporating both โ endurance and โstrength training into a comprehensive fitness routine for optimal health benefits.
Source: Journalโ of โคSport and Health Science – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254625000821?via%3Dihub
