Gender difference in metabolic responses to surface electrical muscle stimulation in type 2 diabetes

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether or not there is a gender difference in metabolic responses to surface electrical muscle stimulation (sEMS) in type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods: Ten men and eight women with T2DM participated in two sessions; in both sessions the subjects were investigated after a breakfast and that in one occasion they underwent 30-min sEMS while in the other they were followed while resting. Blood and gas exchange data were compared between genders as to the extent of blood glucose and non-esterified fatty acids responses to sEMS. Results: The time course change of blood glucose concentration after sEMS did not statistically differ between genders while sEMS could attenuate postprandial blood glucose level regardless of gender (p < 0.05). Women had a lower respiratory quotient and lactate concentration during sEMS when compared with men (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study indicated that sEMS might have resulted in lower anaerobic glycolysis in women as compared to men with T2DM. sEMS is expected to be a new exercise method in T2DM. Determining the possible gender differences and precise mechanisms might further shed some light for the efficacy of sEMS use for clinical practice.