ISLAMABAD: Weightlifting could very well be the most potent single activity to reduce body fat and to shield the organism from scary chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, a new study by Virginia Tech reports, recently.
The research involved lab rats and studied in detail the effects of resistance training (weightlifting) and aerobic exercise (running) on blood sugar control, body weight, and insulin sensitivity. Rats were placed in different groups, one that was made to lift weights using a specially designed shoulder collar, the other one was provided with the running wheel, and the third group was left inactive.
The results after eight weeks showed that both exercised groups had improved their health, but in addition to that, the weightlifting group had a very impressive reduction of their body fat along with a significant improvement of their insulin sensitivity. The researchers determined that the most effective method for the prevention of obesity and type 2 diabetes was to forcibly work against weights rather than running.
Also, the study emphatically pointed out that weightlifting could be a potential source of physical activity that is more easily accessible for those who are unable to run or have difficulty in doing so. The pieces of evidence have been put together in an article published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science.
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Type 2 diabetes is a slowly progressive disorder in which the pancreas fails to meet the insulin demand it causes high blood sugar levels that wreak havoc on nerves, blood vessels, and other organs over time. Regular practice of any physical activity, in particular, weightlifting, is a safe and sound way to postpone the disease’s onset and its ensuing complications.
