Resistance training improves hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, highly prevalent among nonelderly, nondiabetic, chronically disabled stroke patients

Abstract

Objective: To test the effect of 8 weeks of lower body resistance training on hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, which may be prevalent among nonelderly, nondiabetic, chronically disabled stroke patients.

Design: Randomized controlled study.

Setting: Outpatient clinics of rehabilitation centers.

Participants: Nonelderly, nondiabetic, chronically disabled stroke subjects (N=56) were enrolled and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=28) and a control group (n=28).

Interventions: Lower body resistance training was performed by subjects in the experimental group 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The control group was given duration-matched stretch exercises.

Main outcome measures: Fasting glucose level, fasting insulin level, 2-hour blood glucose level during oral glucose tolerance test, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb A1c), total triglyceride level, total cholesterol level, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level, body mass index, lower limb muscle strength, and Fugl-Meyer motor score.

Results: Before the intervention, 34 subjects (60.7%) had hyperglycemia and 38 (67.9%) had dyslipidemia. Fifty-one subjects finished the study. Subjects in the experimental group (n=26) showed significant improvements in fasting insulin and 2-hour blood glucose levels; HOMA-IR; total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol levels; and muscle strength compared with control subjects (n=25) after the intervention (P<.05).

Conclusions: Resistance training may play a significant role in improving hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, which are frequently present among nonelderly, nondiabetic, chronically disabled stroke patients.

Keywords: Dyslipidemias; Hyperglycemia; Rehabilitation; Resistance training; Stroke.