Different glycemic control responses in women and men with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes to resistance exercise

Resistance exercise (RE) is recommended for individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and prediabetes to improve glycemic control, but sex differences remain unclear. PURPOSE: To investigate sex-related differences in glycemic responses to RE in individuals with T2D and prediabetes METHODS: Twenty-five participants (12 males, 13 females, 36–78 year) with T2D or prediabetes completed four randomized crossover sessions: a high-intensity (HI) RE session (3 sets × 8 reps, 75%-1RM, 120 seconds interval), a rest-redistribution (RR) RE session (6 sets × 4 reps, 75%-1RM, 60 seconds interval), a low-load (LL) RE session (3 sets × 16 reps, 37.5%-1RM, 103 seconds interval), and a control (CTRL) session. During experimental sessions, all food was provided for approximately 48 hours. Glycemia was assessed using a continuous glucose monitor device during the entire experimental sessions. RESULTS: In women, no significant changes in glucose were observed across conditions. In men, glucose increased in the afternoon during CTRL (p = 0.025), but this increase was inhibited in HI and RR. Also, men had lower nocturnal glucose levels compared to baseline in HI and RR. decreased nocturnally following HI (p = 0.017) and RR (p = 0.013). In the following morning, LL led to higher glucose levels in men (p = 0.044). In either sex, no significant differences were found in the 24-h average glucose compared with CTRL. CONCLUSION: RE did not significantly change 24-h average glucose in either sex. However, men showed improved afternoon and nocturnal glycemic control with HI and RR, while women’s glucose remained stable across conditions. These results might indicate the need for sex-specific RE prescriptions to improve glycemic control.