What's the type 2 diabetes study?

Does a Whey-Protein Drink and Vitamin D Enhance the Health Benefits of the Lift for Life® Resistance Training Program in Adults with type 2 diabetes? 

Please note: This study has now been completed and no longer recruiting participants. 

This project was funded by NHMRC and is being conducted by Deakin University in collaboration with Curtin University, Fitness Australia and Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute.

Rationale | Type 2 Diabetes is a major public health problem that is currently estimated to effect 347 million people worldwide, which is predicted to rise to 552 million by the year 2030 if nothing is done to prevent this disease. Lifestyle modification that combines energy restriction, weight loss and exercise remains the cornerstone of type 2 diabetes treatment. Less emphasis is placed on optimising skeletal muscle mass, which is critical for people with this disease because muscle is the largest mass of insulin-sensitive tissue and the predominant reservoir for glucose disposal. A loss in muscle mass can negatively impact metabolic rate and further compound the problems of insulin resistance or the ability of insulin resistance or the ability of insulin to lower blood glucose levels.   Regular exercise is important for maintaining blood glucose levels in people with, or at risk of developing, type 2 diabetes because it helps to make the muscles use glucose more effectively.

Resistance training is particularly effective for improving blood glucose levels as well as increasing muscle mass, strengthand physical function. To optimise the health benefits of resistance training it has been suggested that it should be combined with adequate nutrition, particularly an adequate intake of dietary protein. Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels has also been shown to be important for both optimal blood glucose levels and muscle function. Whether reistancetraining combined with additional protein and vitamin D can offer added benefits for people with type 2 diabetes in terms of improving their blood glucose control and body composition is not known and is the focus on this research project.

Objective | The main aim of this 6-month study is to evaluate whether daily consumption of a protein enriched drink and vitamin D can enhance the benefits of participation in the Lift for Life resistance training program on blood glucose control, muscle and fat mass and cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. blood lipids) in people with type 2 diabetes. Lift for Life is a community-based resistance training program for people with or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes that is being coordinated by Fitness Australia and Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute.

Study Design | This is a 6-month trial in which 202 adults aged 50 to 75 years with type 2 diabetes will be randomly allocated to one of two groups:

1. Lift for Life combined with a whey-protein drink and vitamin D

2. Lift for Life with a matched energy-placebo drink and supplement. To be eligible to participate in this study, all participants must be willing to enrol in the Lift for Life resistance training program with a Lift for Life licensed provider.   

For further information, contact Eliza Miller e.miller@deakin.edu.au, Belinda De Ross b.deross@deakin.edu.au or Professor Robin Daly rmdaly@deakin.edu.au 

Please note: This study has now been completed and no longer recruiting participants.