Heat Shock Response is Blunted in Elderly Diabetic People But Recovered by Strength Training
Condition: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Aging
MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The aim of this study was to compare the heat shock response (HSR) between healthy
      middle-aged adults, healthy elderly adults and type 2 diabetic elderly people. In addition,
      considering the effects of strength exercise in promoting health, we aimed to test the
      effects of strength training over the HSR in diabetic elderly people. Thirty (19 females and
      11 males) sedentary non-smoking participants volunteered for this study (11 healthy
      middle-age adults, 7 healthy old adults and 12 diabetic old subjects, previously diagnosed by
      their personal physicians).

      Firstly, venous blood samples were obtained from all participants to test the HSR. They were
      divided in three groups: healthy middle-age adults (45-59 y.o.), healthy elderly adults and
      elderly diabetic (> 60 y.o.). As we identify that diabetic people presented a poor HSR, we
      submit the diabetic group to a twelve-week resistance exercise training to verify if this
      intervention could improve the HS response.

      Diabetic subjects were randomly (1:1 block randomization) allocated in one of the two groups:
      Trained and Control (no training). Strength training was performed three times per week while
      the control group performed a "placebo" stretching/relaxing session once a week (for
      adherence purposes). Both interventions had twelve weeks of duration. To avoid any
      significant adaptation, all stretching exercises (for large muscle groups only) were
      performed at very low intensity without any significant discomfort.

      Supervised (by qualified sport and exercise scientists) exercise was performed in a gym on
      three non-consecutive days of the week. Each session lasted ~60 min and consisted of a warm
      up, the resistance exercise training and a cool down. The training programme consisted of a
      combination of upper and lower body exercises using gym equipments, free weights and body
      weight as the primary resistance. The twelve weeks of strength training were divided into
      three mesocycles of four weeks each. Exercises included leg press, knee extensions and leg
      curls, biceps curls, triceps extensions, lat pull-downs, shoulder press, bench press and
      abdominal crunch. Before the start of the training period, subjects completed a
      familiarization session to practice the exercises they would further perform during the
      training sessions, where the exercise load was individually tested. The resistance training
      was performed using two to three sets per exercise at intensities between 12-15 repetition
      maximum-RM.
    


Intervention name(s): Strength training; No Training
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Strength training was performed three times per week for twelve weeks. Supervised (by qualified sport and exercise scientists) exercise was performed in a gym on three non-consecutive days of the week. Each session lasted ~60 min and consisted of a warm up, the resistance exercise training and a cool down. The training programme consisted of a combination of upper and lower body exercises using gym equipments, free weights and body weight as the primary resistance. The twelve weeks of strength training were divided into three mesocycles of four weeks each. The resistance training was performed using two to three sets per exercise at intensities between 12-15 repetition maximum-RM.; Control group performed a "placebo" stretching/relaxing session once a week (for adherence purposes) for twelve weeks. To avoid any significant adaptation, all stretching exercises (for large muscle groups only) were performed at very low intensity without any significant discomfort.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: The aim of this study was to compare the heat shock response (HSR) between healthy middle-aged adults (45-59 years old), healthy elderly adults (> 60 y.o.) and type 2 diabetic elderly people (> 60 y.o.). In addition, considering the effects of strength exercise in promoting health, we aimed to test the effects of strength training over the HSR in diabetic elderly people.
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Basic Science
Keywords: Diabetes; Heat Shock Response; Aging; Exercise