Acute metabolic responses following different resistance exercise protocols

• Published in: Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism Vol. 43; no. 8; pp. 838 - 843
• Main Authors: Aguiar, Samuel Silva, Sousa, Caio Victor, Simões, Herbert Gustavo, Neves, Rodrigo Vanerson Passos, Costa, Fernando, de Souza, Michel Kendy, de Moraes, Milton Rocha, Prestes, Jonato, Sales, Marcelo Magalhães, Haro, Anderson Sola, Willardson, Jeffrey M, Rosa, Thiago dos Santos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada NRC Research Press 01.08.2018; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: Area Under Curve; Biomarkers - blood; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Dose-response relationship; Energy Metabolism; entraînement à la force; Exercise; Glucose; Glucose metabolism; Glucose Tolerance Test; glycemia; glycémie; Health aspects; Humans; lactate; Lactic Acid - blood; Male; Metabolism; Methods; Muscle Contraction; Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism; oral glucose tolerance test; Predictive Value of Tests; protocoles d’exercices contre résistance; resistance exercise protocols; Resistance Training - methods; ROC Curve; Strength training; Strengthening exercises; Time Factors; épreuve d’hyperglycémie provoquée par voie orale; strength training; oral glucose tolerance test; resistance exercise protocols; épreuve d’hyperglycémie provoquée par voie orale; glycemia; glycémie; lactate; entraînement à la force; protocoles d’exercices contre résistance
• ISSN: 1715-5312; 1715-5320
• DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2017-0771

Resistance exercise (RE) can be an excellent modality for glycemic control. Studies have demonstrated that a single RE session can reduce glycemia in subjects with or without diabetes. Little is known about the dose–response effect of RE on glycemic control. This study aimed to investigate the acute metabolic responses after different RE protocols. Eighty-nine males were separated into six groups that completed RE protocols: 2 sets of 18 repetitions (2 × 18 at 50% of 1-repetition maximum (1RM); n = 19); 3 sets of 12 repetitions (3 × 12 at 70% of 1RM; n = 14); 4 sets of 9 repetitions (4 × 9 at 80% of 1RM; n = 13); 6 sets of 6 repetitions (6 × 6 at 90% of 1RM; n = 19); circuit (2 × 18 at 50% of 1RM; n = 12); and a control session (n = 12). The exercise sequence consisted of 8 exercises. An oral glucose tolerance test was conducted with metabolic measurements immediately after each RE protocol and every 15 min until 120 min of recovery. All groups exhibited significantly lower values (p < 0.05) in the glucose area under the curve (AUC) when compared with control over a 120 min monitoring period. The 6 × 6 group showed a significantly lower glucose AUC versus the 3 × 12 and 4 × 9 groups (p = 0.004; p = 0.001, respectively). As for blood lactate, the control and 6 × 6 groups exhibited lower AUC values versus all other groups (p < 0.05), and AUC for glucose and lactate concentration showed a negative and significant correlation (r = –0.46; p < 0.0001). It appears that a combination of 9–12 repetitions per set and 3–4 sets per muscle group might be optimal for acute postprandial glucose control.