Marcos Mahia
Research Mentor: Rachel Cook
Mentor Department: Movement Science, Kinesiology
Author(s): Marcos Mahia, Rachel N Logue Cook, Lauren E Opielinski, Sarah V Lessila , Frank Doyle, Sandra K Hunter
Session: Session 7 (4:00 PM – 4:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Poster 124
Abstract
Introduction: Both type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its precursor, pre-diabetes, are pathological conditions associated with insulin resistance, which can lead to severe cardiovascular complications, neuropathy, and retinopathy. For these individuals, regular exercise, including strength training, is strongly recommended to help prevent worsening of their condition, as it has been shown to reduce insulin resistance and improve diabetes management. Paradoxically, many diabetic patients struggle to exercise due to increased muscular fatigue and weakness. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of blood flow restriction (BFR) training on dynamic and strength fatigue for adults with T2D and pre-diabetes. Methods: Twelve participants (9 males & 3 females, 41-78 years) diagnosed with either pre-diabetes or T2D (4 pre-diabetes & 8 T2D) underwent 24 training sessions over eight weeks, of bilateral single-leg extensions at 25% of their weekly 1 repetition max with a unilateral BFR cuff at 80% of their femoral artery occlusion pressure. At each training session, participants performed two sets of 15 repetitions, followed by a final set to failure, during which the number of repetitions was recorded, with 30 seconds of rest between sets. Before and after the eight-week training program, the participants underwent experimental sessions in which their strength and fatigue were measured using a Biodex dynamometer that assessed Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) before and after a fatigue task. The fatigue task protocol involves participants performing 80 unilateral free blood-flow leg extensions, three seconds apart, at 20% of their pre-fatigue-task MVC. Dynamic fatigue was measured by comparing the power of the final leg extensions with the initial extensions. Changes in strength-based fatigue were measured by comparing the post-fatigue task MVC with the pre-fatigue task MVC in the pre- and post-experimental sessions. Results: Data analysis revealed that with a greater increase in 3rd-set repetitions, there was decreased strength fatigue but increased dynamic fatigue. Participants’ repetitions increased on average by 79.5% (26.2 vs 43.7 repetitions), strength fatigue decreased by 22.7% (78.4% vs. 83.3%), and dynamic fatigue decreased by 32.8% (38.7% vs. 26.1%). Conclusion: Implementing BFR training in pre-diabetic and T2D patients can allow these populations to exercise at higher resistances with reduced strength fatigue, decreasing overall injury risk and, ultimately, reducing the risk of severe physiological complications associated with their conditions.
