The effect of resistance training on glycated haemoglobin levels in patients with diabetes: A systematic review with meta-analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62827/fb.v27i7.1265Keywords:
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Resistance Training; Glycated Hemoglobin.Abstract
Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions worldwide and is associated with persistent hyperglycaemia resulting from insulin resistance. Skeletal muscle is the primary site of insulin-mediated glucose uptake; a reduction in this uptake can compromise glycaemic control. Consequently, resistance training has been proposed as a complementary strategy in the treatment of the condition. Objective: To describe the effect of resistance training alone on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in individuals with T2DM. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using searches of the PubMed/Medline (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online), Cochrane Library (CENTRAL — Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online) and LILACS/BVS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature/Virtual Health Library), combining free-text terms and controlled descriptors (MeSH, DeCS, Emtree) via Boolean operators. The review included randomised clinical trials involving adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who underwent at least 8 weeks of resistance training alone compared with usual care, with HbA1c as the outcome measure. The risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2 tool, and the quantitative analysis employed a random-effects model based on the difference in means, with heterogeneity assessed using the I² statistic. Results: Resistance training was shown to be effective in improving glycaemic control by reducing HbA1c levels. Furthermore, an increase in muscle mass, improved strength, body composition and other metabolic parameters were observed. Conclusion: The data obtained indicate that resistance training is an effective and safe non-pharmacological intervention for the management of type 2 diabetes, contributing to better glycaemic control and improved functional capacity. However, it is essential to define more specific training protocols for different patient profiles.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ana Lídia Barbosa Braga, Júlia Lopes Ferreira, Julia Mizuta Lacerda, Marianna Palhares Hallais França, Bárbara Madureira Silveira (Autor)
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