Exercises with weights protect against diabetes

Women generally do weights and exercises that increase physical strength, can reduce by a third the risk of onset of diabetes, according to a new study.

This benefit is additional to that derived from the performance of aerobic exercises that increase strength and they train the heart and lungs, the researchers write in the journal «PLoS Medicine».

The findings come from nearly 100,000 women, attended for eight years scientists from Harvard University.

The greatest reduction in risk was observed in volunteers who devote at least 2.5 hours per week in aerobic activities (eg walking, jogging, cycling, swimming) and at least 1 more hour a week on exercises to increase strength.This combination reduces by a third the risk of developing diabetes.

These exercises to increase strength include, among others, free weights, exercise machines and weights at the gym, the foot aps, aps the Paperweights and exercises with elastic straps and springs.

Earlier studies have shown that the aerobic activities reduce the risk of diabetes, but new suggests that the addition of exercises for training the strength can provide additional protection.Similar findings have been demonstrated in studies with men.Researchers believe that exercise for strength protects against diabetes because it increases muscle mass and thereby increases fat burning and reduces the risk of obesity.

Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes and excess weight loss is crucial to prevent and treat.

According to the research organization Diabetes UK, every weight loss of 1 pound a obese person reduces by 15% the risk of diabetes, while losing 5% of initial body weight can dramatically reduce the sugar in those who already have diabetes.