Skeletal muscle and metabolic health – how do we increase muscle mass and function in people with type 2 diabetes

Al Ozairi, E. et al. (2021) Skeletal muscle and metabolic health – how do we increase muscle mass and function in people with type 2 diabetes. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 106(2), pp. 309-317. (doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa835) (PMID:33336682)

Abstract

Background: Whilst skeletal muscles’ primary role is in allowing movement it has important metabolic roles, including in glycaemic control. Indeed, evidence indicates that low muscle mass and function are associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, highlighting its’ importance in the development of metabolic disease. Methods: In this mini-review, we detail the evidence highlighting the importance of muscle in type 2 diabetes, the efficacy of resistance exercise in improving glycaemic control alongside our approach to increase uptake of such exercise in people with type 2 diabetes. This summary is based in the authors’ knowledge of the filed supplemented by a Pubmed search using the terms “muscle”, “glycaemic control”, “HbA1c”, “type 2 diabetes” and “resistance exercise”. Results: The main strategy to increases muscle mass is to perform resistance exercise and, although the quality of evidence is low, such exercise appears effective in reducing HbA1c in people with type 2 diabetes. However, to increase participation we need to improve our understanding of barriers and facilitators to such exercise. Current data indicate that barriers are similar to those reported for aerobic exercise, with additional resistance exercise specific barriers of looking to muscular, increase risk of cardiovascular event, having access to specialised equipment and knowledge of how to use it. Conclusions: The development of simple resistance exercises that can be performed anywhere, that use little or no equipment and are effective in reducing HbA1c will be, in our opinion, key to increasing the number of people with type 2 diabetes performing resistance exercise.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gray, Professor Cindy and Gill, Professor Jason and Welsh, Professor Paul and Celis, Dr Carlos and Gray, Professor Stuart and Sattar, Professor Naveed and Boonpor, Jirapitcha
• Authors: Al Ozairi, E., Alroudhan, D., Alsaeed, D., Voase, N., Hasan, A., Gill, J. M.R., Sattar, N., Welsh, P., Gray, C. M., Boonpor, J., Celis-Morales, C., and Gray, S. R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Social Scientists working in Health and Wellbeing
• Journal Name: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 0021-972X
• ISSN (Online): 1945-7197
• Published Online: 12 November 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 106(2): 309-317
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy