Short bouts of high-intensity resistance-style training produce similar reductions in fasting blood glucose of diabetic offspring and controls

Family history of diabetes (FH) is associated with impaired cardiometabolic function. Aerobic exercise improves insulin sensitivity, though resistance training studies on fasting glucose (FG) in FH are lacking. This study examined the effects of 7 weeks of high-intensity-resistance-focused training (HIRFT), including circuit, core, and plyometric resistance training on FG in FH and matched controls (CON). We hypothesized that HIRFT would reduce FG levels, with greater reductions in CON. Thirty-eight healthy men and women (23.5 ± 2 years; 171 ± 7.4 cm; 71 ± 14 kg) participated in 7 weeks of HIRFT including full-body, plyometric, and core resistance training on alternate days. Fasting glucose was analyzed before and after the 7-week training before and after workouts. One repetition maximum was calculated for bench press, squat, and deadlift before and after training. Body mass index and resting HR remained unchanged. Fasting glucose declined similarly between groups with training (−0.23 ± 0.08 vs. −0.20 ± 0.07 mmol·L⁻¹, p < 0.01 for FH and CON, respectively), whereas strength increased (kg) (bench: 8.0 ± 1.8, squat: 19.4 ± 4.6, deadlift: 16.4 ± 3.6, overall mean percent increase: 38.9 ± 9.2, p < 0.001). Ten-minute postexercise glucose decreased (−0.65 mmol·L⁻¹, p = 0.05) with training, with no differences between groups. Changes in FG and strength increase were inversely correlated (r = −0.519, p = 0.05). Strength increased equally between groups. Data indicate that HIRFT reduces FG concentrations similarly in FH and CON, making it effective for improving FG in FH.