@Nurpur India,
Published on November 9, 2025,
By Pawan,
...A groundbreaking study comparing endurance and resistance exercise in mice fed a high-fat diet reveals resistance training is more effective for reducing both subcutaneous and visceral fat and improving glucose metabolism. Learn what this means for fighting obesity and diabetes.independent
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| The One Exercise Study Reveals to Combat Obesity and Diabetes |
Highlight Key Points
- Resistance training reduces subcutaneous and visceral fat more than endurance training.independent
- It significantly improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, critical for diabetes prevention.news.vt
- The study showed differentiated effects of exercise on metabolic and inflammatory pathways affected by a high-fat diet.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih
- Both endurance and resistance exercise lower weight and inflammatory markers but through distinct biological mechanisms.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih
- Resistance training offers hope for those unable to perform long-duration endurance exercise, providing a powerful alternative.independent
The One Exercise Study Reveals to Combat Obesity and Diabetes More Effectively Than Running
New research shows resistance training outperforms endurance exercise at reducing dangerous fat and improving glucose tolerance in a high-fat diet model. Discover how lifting weights may be your best defense against obesity and diabetes, backed by science.
Introduction
Fighting obesity and diabetes requires more than just moving more—it depends on what kind of exercise you choose. According to a new study led by Virginia Tech,
resistance training, such as weightlifting, outperforms endurance activities like running when it comes to reducing harmful body fat and improving how your body processes sugar.
By examining mice on a high-fat diet—a standard model for studying metabolic disease—the researchers discovered that resistance exercise produced more profound changes in body composition and glucose metabolism.news.vt+1
Study Background: Why High-Fat Diet Models Matter
Researchers often use mice fed a high-fat diet as a simulated model for human metabolic disorders like obesity and type 2 diabetes because the diet induces similar symptoms, including insulin resistance, excessive fat storage, and inflammation.
This setting allows scientists to compare the distinct effects of different exercise types in controlled environments. The new study uniquely tested how endurance (running) and resistance (weighted movements) training influenced these metabolic outcomes and inflammation signals.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih
Resistance Training Shows Superior Fat Reduction
Resistance training proved more effective at trimming subcutaneous (beneath the skin) and visceral (around internal organs) fat. These fat deposits are major contributors to metabolic disease.
By performing weightlifting-like activity, the mice not only lowered fat mass but also improved the health of adipose tissue, reducing inflammation. This effect is crucial, as visceral fat is strongly linked to cardiovascular risks and diabetes development.independent+1
Boosting Glucose Tolerance and Insulin Sensitivity
One of the study’s key findings is that resistance exercise led to more substantial improvements in glucose tolerance—the body’s ability to clear sugar from blood—and insulin sensitivity. Improved insulin function can prevent or delay the progression of type 2 diabetes.
At the molecular level, resistance training enhanced muscle proteins responsible for glucose uptake and insulin signaling, offering a mechanistic explanation for the metabolic benefits.journals.physiology+1
Differentiated Mechanisms of Exercise Types
While both endurance and resistance training reduced body weight and inflammation, they did so through somewhat different biological processes. Endurance exercise was particularly effective at lowering some inflammatory cytokines like TNF-alpha and IL-18,
improving cardiovascular health. Resistance training, meanwhile, decreased expression of proteins involved in inflammasome activation. This suggests that combining the two may provide comprehensive metabolic protection.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih
Practical Implications: Resistance Training for Everyone
For people struggling with obesity and diabetes risk, this research underscores the importance of including resistance training in fitness routines.
Resistance exercise offers an effective alternative or complement for those who may find endurance activities difficult due to joint pain, fatigue, or other health limitations. Importantly, lifting weights not only sculpts muscle but also directly fights metabolic disease drivers.foxnews+1
Summary and Future Directions
This study adds to a growing body of evidence that resistance training is a potent intervention for obesity and diabetes prevention.
Future human trials are needed but early data encourages fitness professionals, healthcare providers, and patients to prioritize resistance exercise along with cardiovascular training for holistic metabolic health.sciencedirect+1
References
- Independent UK: This is the exercise you need to combat obesity and diabetes, new study saysindependent
- Virginia Tech News: Weightlifting beats running for blood sugar control, researchers findnews.vt
- PubMed: Endurance and Resistance Training Affect High Fat Diet-Induced Metabolic Pathwayspubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih
- Fox News: Diabetes prevention linked to specific type of exercise, study showsfoxnews
- Physiological Reports: Resistance training improves muscle insulin sensitivity in humansjournals.physiology
Read More information for The One Exercise Study Reveals to Combat Obesity and Diabetes More Effectively Than Running,
Trusted Source Tag :
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