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A single session of resistance exercise enhances insulin sensitivity for at least 24 h in healthy men

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine whether a single session of resistance exercise improves whole-body insulin sensitivity in healthy men for up to 24 h. Twelve male subjects (23±1 years) were studied over a period of 4 days during which they consumed a standardized diet, providing 0.16±0.01 MJ·kg−1·day−1 containing 15±0.1 energy% (En%) protein, 29±0.1 En% fat and 55±0.3 En% carbohydrate. Insulin sensitivity was determined 24 h before and 24 h after a single resistance exercise session (8 sets of 10 repetitions at 75% of 1 repetition maximum for two leg exercise tasks) using an intravenous insulin tolerance test. Insulin sensitivity index was calculated by the decline in arterial blood glucose concentration following intravenous administration of a single bolus of human insulin (0.075 IU·kg−1 fat free mass). Basal glucose and insulin concentrations were not changed up to 24 h after the resistance exercise. However, a substantial 13±5% improvement in whole-body insulin sensitivity was observed, 24 h after the resistance exercise (P<0.05). This study shows that even a single session of resistance exercise improves whole-body insulin sensitivity for up to 24 h in healthy men, which is consistent with earlier observations following endurance exercise tasks.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Human Biology, Nutrition Research Institute Maastricht (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, PO BOX 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    René Koopman, Ralph J. F. Manders, Antoine H. G. Zorenc, Gabby B. J. Hul & Luc J. C. van Loon

  2. Departments of Movement Sciences, Nutrition Research Institute Maastricht (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Harm Kuipers, Hans A. Keizer & Luc J. C. van Loon

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  1. René Koopman
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  2. Ralph J. F. Manders
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  3. Antoine H. G. Zorenc
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  4. Gabby B. J. Hul
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  5. Harm Kuipers
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  6. Hans A. Keizer
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  7. Luc J. C. van Loon
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Correspondence to René Koopman.

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Koopman, R., Manders, R.J.F., Zorenc, A.H.G. et al. A single session of resistance exercise enhances insulin sensitivity for at least 24 h in healthy men. Eur J Appl Physiol 94, 180–187 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-004-1307-y

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