Why refer to Lift for Life?

The International Diabetes Institute’s, ‘Lift, Loosen and Lose for Diabetes’ study (see publication 1 below), was the first in the world to demonstrate the benefits of regular progressive strength training in older adults with type 2 diabetes.

This research demonstrated:

• in just three months, blood glucose control had improved by 7%
• this effect was doubled in six months.

Further analysis indicated that participants were unable to maintain the improvement in blood glucose control during home-based training (see publicaton 2 below). This suggests that supervision from qualified staff and the social support from others are important factors in achieving and maintaining strength training benefits.

This research is now playing a key role in the modification of Physical Activity Guidelines for people with diabetes around the world. In 2005 the Federal Government decided to fund the further development of the Lift for Life program to enable broad access for the Australian population, to the benefits of the program which delivered such fantastic research results. Furthermore, this research gives Health Professionals and prospective Participants good reason to choose Lift for Life – a proven results driven program.

Publications

1. Dunstan DW, Daly RM, Owen N, et al. High-intensity resistance training improves glycaemic control in older patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2002; 25:1729-1736.
2. Dunstan DW, Daly RM, Owen N, et al. Home-based resistance training is not sufficient to maintain improved glycaemic control following supervised training in older persons with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2005; 28:3-9.