The Effect of Resistance Training on Serum Levels of Dehydroepiandrosterone, Estradiol and Erectile Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetic Men

Diabetes through sex hormone deficiency can cause erectile dysfunction in type 2 diabetic men, however, resistance training can improve diabetes by reducing complications of this disorder.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance training on serum levels of dihydropyronestrone, estradiol and erectile dysfunction in type 2 diabetic men.

In this quasi-experimental study, 24 men with type 2 diabetes with a mean weight of 77.1±3.5 kg and BMI of 26.13±3.3 kg/m2 were randomly selected. They were randomly divided into two groups Diabetics were divided into control exercises and diabetic control. The diabetic group performed 8 weeks of resistance training with resistance training. Serum levels of dihydroepiandrosterone, estradiol, erectile dysfunction and other dependent variables were measured 48 h before and after the training period. Data were analyzed using covariance analysis (ANCOVA) (P = 0.05).

Resistance training in diabetic group resistance training significantly decreased insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) compared to diabetic control group (P = 0.010). Resistance training also significantly decreased serum estradiol levels (P = 0.040) and significantly increased serum levels of dihydroepiandrosterone (P = 0.030) in diabetic group resistance training compared to diabetic control group. Resistance training also increased erectile function in the areas of erectile function (P = 0.019), marital satisfaction (P = 0.012) and total scores (P = 0.002) in diabetic group resistance training compared to diabetic control group.

Overall, based on our findings, it seems that resistance training reduces serum estradiol levels and increases serum levels of dihydropyronestrone in improving erectile function in type 2 diabetic patients. Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, Resistance training, Dihydroepiandrosterone, Estradiol, Erectile function.