Effect of A12-Month Resistance Training and Aerobic Training in Abdominal Adipose Tissue and Metabolic Variables in Patients with Pre-Diabetes: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective To investigate the effects of resistance exercise and aerobic exercise on abdominal adipose tissue and metabolic indexes in adults with pre-diabetes. Methods From May 2014 to April 2015, 105 patients with pre-diabetes were randomly divided into aerobic exercise group (AT, n=35), resistance exercise group (RT, n=35) and control group (n=35). Patients in the intervention group completed aerobic exercise and resistance exercise for 12 months, control group maintained the original lifestyle without exercise intervention. Relevant indicators were measured at the time of enrollment and 12 months of intervention. The main outcome indicators were visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) measured by computed tomography (CT). The secondary outcome indicators were body composition, lipid distribution and metabolic variables. Results A total of 93 participants completed the study. There was no significant difference between the groups before intervention (P>0. 05). After intervention, the VAT of AT and RT was significantly lower than that of control group (P=0. 001, P=0. 014, respectively). Although there was no significant difference in SAT between different groups, the SAT in each exercise group decreased significantly over time (P=0. 001). The increase of muscle mass in RT was higher than that in AT and control group (P=0. 031, P=0. 045, respectively). Compared with control group, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of AT and RT was significantly decreased (P=0. 014, P=0. 003, respectively). Conclusion Both aerobic exercise and resistance exercise can significantly reduce the abdominal fat content and FPG among patients with pre-diabetes. In addition, the effect of resistance exercise on increasing muscle mass is more remarkable.