Medical Journal Summary

Introduction

The research is titled “Strength Training and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease” by Eric Shiroma and colleagues. It can be categorized as a basic epidemiological research because it analyzes the risks of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases amongst the distribution of 35,754 healthy women over a period of twelve years from 1992 to 2004. Specifically, the research examines the relationship between strength training and type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risks.

The Summary

In determining their hypothesis, the researchers reference past studies and recommendation on muscle-strengthening, whereby federal guidelines suggest physical activities twice a week. However, the guidelines were mainly on musculoskeletal health.

Therefore, this study’s hypothesis statement was to compare strength training and the risks of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In assessing health outcomes of the participating 35,754 healthy women, the researchers found out that women who engaged in any form of strength training had reduced rates of type 2 diabetes by 30 percent.

On the other hand, the study realized a 17 percent risk reduction in cardiovascular diseases. At the same time, participants who practiced strength training alongside aerobics had additional reduction in risks for both cardiovascular diseases and diabetes type 2.

The study’s strength is the use of a very large sample of women retrieved from the WHS (Women’s Health Study). The women’ age averaged at 62.6 years and ranged from 47 to 97.8 years old, which is an ideal age for comparing the risks of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Also, the fact the study took more than 10 years is a great advantage.

However, the researchers were honest to point out their study’s limitations. Despite being a highly detailed study, physical activities were self-reported because information on strength training was retrieved from questionnaires answered by the participants. At the same time, information on physical training were limited to weekly reports, neither did the reports focus on intensity of the strength training exercises.

In making their conclusions, the researchers indicate that their data support the annexation and inclusion of muscle-strengthening activities in physical exercises. The study recorded reduced risks of diabetes type 2 and cardiovascular diseases by 30 and 17 percent respectively.

The researchers recommend strength training in addition to aerobic exercises, and that combination of both aerobics and muscle-strengthening further reduces the risks. The study goes ahead and suggests future studies to focus on determining optimum dose and intensity of these strength training.

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