Effect of exercise training on neuromuscular function of elbow flexors and knee extensors of type 2 diabetic patients

Purpose: The effects of exercise training on neuromuscular function of arm and leg muscles in type 2 diabetic patients (T2D) was investigated. Methods: Eight T2D sedentary male patients (61.0 ± 2.3 years) and eight sedentary healthy age matched control subjects (H, 63.9 ± 3.8 years) underwent a 16-week supervised combined endurance and resistance exercise program. Before and after training, maximal isometric (MVIC), isokinetic (15, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240° s−1) torque and muscle endurance of the elbow flexors (EF) and knee extensors (KE) were assessed. Simultaneously, surface electromyographic signals from biceps brachii (BB) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles were recorded and muscle fiber conduction velocity (MFCV) estimated. Results: Following training, maximal torque of the KE increased during MVIC and isokinetic contractions at 15 and 30° s−1 in the T2D (+19.1 ± 2.7% on average; p < 0.05) but not in the H group (+7 ± 0.9%; p > 0.05). MFCV recorded from the VL during MVIC and during isokinetic contractions at 15 and 30° s−1 increased (+11.2 ± 1.6% on average; p < 0.01), but in the diabetic group only. Muscular endurance was lower in T2D (20.1 ± 0.7 s) compared to H (26.9 ± 1.3 s), with an associated increase in the MFCV slope after training in the KE muscles only. Conclusion: The effect of a combined exercise training on muscle torque appears to be angular velocity-specific in diabetic individuals, with a more pronounced effect on KE muscles and at slow contraction velocities, along with an associated increase in the MFCV. MFCV appears to be a more sensitive marker than torque in detecting the early signs of neuromuscular function reconditioning.