Effects of concurrent training on insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cells function in obese men

The insulin resistance and subsequent pancreatic β cell failure that precedes the development of hyperglycemia is thus usually associated with obesity. Exercise training may improves these impairs, however, this is not well known. The aim of present study was to examine the effect of 8 weeks concurrent training on pancreatic β-cells function and insulin resistance in obese men.

Twenty three middle aged obese men (aged: 34.6 ± 8.8 years; ± SD) were randomly assigned to one of the concurrent training group (n=12) or control group (n=11). The concurrent group performed endurance and resistance training on the same days, 3 days a week for 8 weeks. The subjects in the control group were instructed to maintain their normal physical activity throughout the study.

The results indicated that fasting insulin (P=0.006), insulin resistance index (P=0.02), pancreatic β-cells function (P=0.04) decrease in the training group compare to the control group; however, fasting blood sugar has no significant change after the intervention (P=0.3).

In summary, it seems that concurrent training utilized in this study improves insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cells function in obese men.