Research suggests that men who regularly lift weights are at a lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes. One study showed that men who lift weights on a regular basis decreased their risk of type 2 diabetes by 34%. A second study by researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Southern Denmark found that men who regularly lift weights were at a 59% lower risk. While the study was small, the benefits of regular exercise can’t be ruled out.
Other research has suggested that strength training may help prevent and manage chronic illnesses. Studies have found that people who lift weights regularly have better control over blood sugar levels during workouts. It’s also important to note that you don’t need to lift heavy weights to reap the benefits of aerobic exercise. You can start by lifting five pounds or less. You can get the same health benefits by doing both exercises.
The researchers tracked 32,002 men for 18 years. They controlled for factors like alcohol and coffee consumption, ethnicity, and dietary habits. The researchers also considered whether the participants had a family history of diabetes. They found that men who performed weight training had a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes by 12 percent, 25 per cent, or 30% compared to those who did aerobic exercises and no exercise. Aerobic exercise was also linked with a reduction of 52 per cent, but not as high as weight lifting.
