A pilot study of short-term toe resistance training in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effect of short-term toe resistance training on toe pinch force and toe muscle quality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods A total of 12 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were hospitalized to improve glycemic control (8 men and 4 women, duration of diabetes 12.2 ± 9.5 years) were enrolled in this pilot study. Exercise therapy was performed with conventional aerobic exercise and four newly developed toe resistance training exercises for 2 weeks. Changes in anthropometric parameters, blood pressure (BP), heart rate, and muscle parameters, i.e. muscle mass, toe pinch force and toe muscle quality were evaluated after the exercise program. Results There were no significant differences of body weight, body mass index, BP, heart rate, and upper/lower muscle mass after exercise performance. However, toe pinch force was significantly increased (pre: 2.92 ± 1.19 kg, post: 3.65 ± 1.58 kg, p = 0.007). Toe muscle quality (toe pinch force/lower leg muscle mass) were also significantly increased (pre: 2.15 ± 0.86 kg/kg, post: 2.72 ± 1.26 kg/kg, p = 0.009). Conclusions Two weeks of toe resistance training significantly increased toe pinch force and toe muscle quality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Toe resistance training is might be essential for treating patients with diabetes mellitus in clinical practice. Keywords Type 2 diabetes mellitus Á Toe resistance training Á Toe pinch force Á Toe muscle quality Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (

Diabetes Mellitus-Related Dysfunction of the Motor System

“…This means that the formation of alternative pathways for CST recovery is likely to be accelerated in an activity-dependent manner in the brain. A recent clinical study showed that only 2 weeks of toe resistance training improved pinch force and knee extension force in humans with DN [ 212 , 213 ]. Gains in strength during such short-term training have been attributed to adaptations within the CNS [ 214 , 215 ].…”

Integration of exercise prescription into medical provision as a treatment for non-communicable diseases: A scoping review

“…Nine of the selected studies were published during 2012–2016 ( 28 , 32–34 , 39–41 , 51 , 54 ). However, there has been a rapid increase in research studies over recent years, with 19 further studies published during 2016–2022 ( 29–31 , 35–38 , 42–50 , 52 , 53 , 55 ).…”

“…A randomized control trial (RCT) research design comprised 54% of the studies ( 28–33 , 35 , 36 , 39–42 , 44 , 51 , 52 ); pilot study research designs were used in another 14% ( 34 , 43 , 48 , 50 , 55 ); the other designs were interviews (10%) ( 38 , 47 , 49 ); experimental designs (10%) ( 37 , 46 , 53 ); a crossover control study (4%) ( 54 ); a cohort study (4%) ( 45 ); and a feasibility study (4%) ( 48 ). In total, 10 types of exercise interventions were used: these included aerobic exercise ( 28 , 32–35 , 37–42 , 44–47 , 49 , 50 , 52–54 ); resistance exercise ( 31 , 33–35 , 37–42 , 44–51 , 55 ); balance exercise ( 38 , 39 ); core exercise ( 39 ); computer-based exercise intervention ( 43 ); sling exercise therapy ( 29 ); video-guided exercise ( 30 ); flexibility exercise ( 38 ); respiratory exercise ( 35 ); and progressive relaxation exercises ( 36 ). The studies all included positive results, except for one.…”

“…There were several other guidelines contributing to the experimental process. These included the American Thoracic Society 2002 guidelines ( 35 ); European Respiratory Society recommendations ( 35 ); and Guidelines of the Japan Diabetes Society ( 55 ) (see Supplementary Table S4 4 ).…”

“…Some studies’ exercise intervention durations depended on the length of the patients’ hospital stays ( 39 , 49 , 51 , 52 ). The length of each individual exercise intervention also varied substantially: in one study being more than 2 h ( 35 ); in others 60 ~ 70-min ( 37 , 41 , 42 , 44–47 , 54 ); in some 30 ~ 45-min ( 28 , 29 , 32 , 33 , 36 , 39 , 40 , 43 , 48 , 50 , 53 , 55 ); or along with conventional therapy (40-min) for an additional 15-min ( 31 ), or 15 ~ 45-min ( 49 ). The intervention frequency ranged from every day ( 33 , 36 , 39 , 48 , 53 , 55 ); to five times a week ( 29 , 31 , 34 , 35 , 40 ); three times a week ( 32 , 34 , 42 , 44 , 46 ); twice a week ( 28 , 38 , 41 , 45 , 47 , 49 , 50 ); or once per week ( 37 , 47 ).…”