The Effect of Resistance Training Programs on GFR and Some Biochemical Factors of Renal Function in Elderly Males with Type 2 Diabetes

The role of physical activities in control and improvement of type II diabetes has always been considered. However, the effect of physical activity on diabetic patients’ renal function has been less taken into account. Therefore, the present research aimed to evaluate the effect of a ten-week resistance training program on some selected biochemical factors of renal function in patients with type II diabetes.
In this study, 21 patients between 40 and 60 years old who suffered from type II diabetes were randomly assigned to an intervention (N=11) and a control (N=10) group. The intervention included a progressive resistance training program which involved 6 exercises using weight machines performed twice or thrice a week for 10 weeks. The participants completed 3 sets of 12 repetitions of each exercise and discontinued exercising in case they got tired. The intervention was performed in a special stadium. The control group continued their usual activities. For measuring Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) and Urea (BUN), Creatinin (Cr), and Uric Acid (UAc) serum levels, blood samples were obtained from the subjects at the beginning and end of the 10 weeks. Then, the data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software.
Exercise program resulted in a significant decrease in the intervention group’s GFR (P=0.003) and BUN (P=0.05) and Cr (P=0.001) serum levels. However, no significant changes were found in UAc concentration. The above-mentioned factors showed no significant changes in the control group.
The findings of this research suggested that the 10-week progressive resistance training led to a significant improvement in GFR and BUN and Cr serum levels. Therefore, this method can be effective in improvement of the subjects’ renal function.