Type 2 Diabetes Affect Exercise Induced Improvement in Insulin Sensitivity

A family history of T2D (FH+) is a risk factor for developing insulin resistance (which
precedes T2D) and T2D (Ryder et al., 2003). Exercise training on the other hand has been
shown to improve insulin sensitivity and is highly effective to prevent/manage T2D. However
it is not known if early signs of insulin resistance appear before being clinically diagnosed
and if the benefits of exercise which prevent/cure T2D, are limited to the offspring of
Hispanic T2D parents. Therefore, the proposed study will determine 1) if normoglycemic
(normal blood glucose) offspring of T2D parents are insulin resistant, using the gold
standard method to measure insulin sensitivity and metabolic flexibility (ability to switch
between carbohydrate and fat oxidation) 2) if 8 weeks of exercise training improves insulin
sensitivity and metabolic flexibility to the same extent in FH+ compared to normoglycemic
offspring of parents without any history of T2D (FH-) and 3) if 8 weeks of exercise training
will change the blood, lipid and molecular profiles relevant to insulin sensitivity to same
extent in FH+ compared to offspring of parents without family history of T2D (FH-).

Inclusion Criteria:

- 18 ≤ Age ≤ 40 years

- 18 ≤ BMI ≤ 30 kg/m2

- Both parents are Mexican/Mexican-American)

- Sedentary lifestyle

- Less than 60 minutes/wk. of structured exercise

- Physical activity level ≤ 1.4

Exclusion Criteria:

- Evidence of significant cardiovascular disease or diabetes

- A fasting blood glucose ≥100 mg/dL

- Screening blood pressure >140/90

- Hyperlipidemia

- Use of drugs affecting energy metabolism or body weight

- Excess alcohol, drug abuse, and smoking

- Eating disorder or eating attitudes interfering with study

- Unwillingness to be abide by randomization