The Effects of Resistance Training with and without Blood Flow Restriction on Platelet Indices and Microparticles in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with thrombotic events due to platelets’ defects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of resistance training with and without blood flow restriction on markers of platelet activation in T2DM patients.

Forty-one T2DM patients (age, 50.2±9.3 years, BMI, 31.0±5.2 kg/m2) were randomly divided into three groups of control (CONT), resistance training (RT), and resistance training with blood flow restriction (RTBFR). The subjects in RT group performed 8 weeks of resistance training (knee extension exercise) included three sets of 20 repetitions at 20% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) for the first 2 weeks. Thereafter, the training intensity increased by 20% and the number of repetitions decreased accordingly, every two weeks. Subjects in RTBFR group performed 8 weeks of resistance training encompassed3 sets of 15 repetitions at 20% of 1RM with blood flow restriction for the first 4 weeks. For the last four weeks of training the training intensity increased by 30%. During this period, the subjects in control group followed their normal life. platelet indices, fibrinogen and markers of platelet activation were measured one day prior to the first training session and 48 hours after last training session.

Within-group comparisons revealed significant changes in platelet indices and markers of platelet activation following 8 weeks of resistance training (P<0.05). However, between-group comparisons showed higher reductions in P-selectin and increases in CD41 in RT group compared to RTBFR, whereas, reductions in fibrinogen levels occurred more pronouncedly in RTBFR group than RT group (P<0.05).

Based on the findings of the present study, it could be concluded that resistance training improves platelet activation in T2DM patients and that lower intensity resistance training with blow flow restriction results in similar adaptations in platelet factors compared to higher intensity resistance training in T2DM patients. Therefore, the RTBFR method could be a safer RT protocol prescribed for diabetic patients.