Effect of resistance training on general health, happiness and its correlation with glycemic control in diabetic men with peripheral neuropathy

Painful diabetic neuropathy may have psychological consequences and lower quality of life and happiness in this population. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of circuit resistance training on general health, happiness and its correlation with glucose control in diabetic men with peripheral neuropathy.

In the present clinical trial study, 30 diabetic men with peripheral neuropathy were randomly divided into experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups based on the level of neuropathy. The experimental group performed a circuit resistance-training program (50%-60% of 1RM, 3 sessions a week) over 12 weeks. Before and 48 hours after the experimental period, body composition was measured and blood samples were collected in a fasting state. Furthermore, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI) assessed general health and happiness, respectively.

HbA1c level significantly decreased in the experimental group compared with the control group (P=0.04). In addition, general health and happiness significantly improved in the experimental group compared with the control group (P=0.0001 and P=0.001, respectively). Importantly, Pearson’s correlation also indicated a significant correlation between happiness with HbA1c (r=-0.4 and P=0.02) and general health with HbA1c (r=0.36 and P=0.04).

Based on the results, diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy may benefit from glucose-lowering effect of resistance training, which was coupled with improved general health score and happiness.