Inspiratory training increases insulin sensitivity in elderly patients

Abstract

Physiological degeneration in the aging process can cause a notable decline in carbohydrate metabolism. Respiratory training has been recommended to elderly patients in an attempt to prevent or minimize the alterations to the cardiorespiratory, metabolic and cognitive systems and to improve their quality of life. The objective of this work was to investigate the influence of inspiratory muscular training, with Threshold, on insulin resistance in elderly people. This study included 14 insulin resistant elderly volunteers, ranging in age from 61 to 82 years old. Insulin resistance was confirmed using the homeostatic model assessment. The patients were divided into two groups: experimental and control. The program lasted 12 weeks, with 30-min training daily using Threshold to train the inspiratory muscles. The experimental group had improved insulin resistance, with decreased glycemia and insulin requirements, a lower homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, and increased respiratory force and performance. The small sample does not allow for conclusions, but we can suggest that inspiratory muscular training improves insulin sensitivity in elderly patients with insulin resistance.