Khaberni - A lab study showed that weightlifting provides better blood sugar control compared to running.
Weightlifting improves insulin sensitivity
In an experiment conducted on mice, weightlifting reduced dangerous visceral fat around the organs, while running uniquely increased brown fat that burns calories.
According to the research team from the University of Virginia, the metabolic benefits were seen through changes within muscle cells rather than muscle growth.
According to "Study Finds," this research adds to growing evidence that resistance training deserves more attention in discussions about metabolic health.
The experiment
The scientists developed a new weightlifting regime for this study. Mice wore small harnesses, and had to lift a weighted cage lid in a squat-like movement to reach their food.
The weight started at 100% of each mouse’s body weight, increased by 20% daily until it reached 240% of the body weight, and remained constant throughout the study period. The average number of lifts per day for the mice was 231.
Mice that were allowed to run had access to voluntary running wheels and covered about 10.5 kilometers per day. The importance of the voluntary nature of both exercise models reflects how humans choose to exercise rather than being forced to.
3 indicators
After 8 weeks, researchers measured several indicators of metabolic health.
In the first test, called HOMA-IR, which measures insulin sensitivity, the weightlifting mice showed improved scores, while the running mice did not show any significant improvements in this measure.
During the glucose tolerance test, the researchers injected the mice with sugar and measured how quickly blood glucose levels returned to normal.
The weightlifting mice cleared glucose faster than the inactive mice, while the running mice showed only partial improvement.
The third test involved injecting insulin and measuring the blood sugar response. Weightlifting again showed stronger benefits than running in improving whole-body insulin sensitivity.
