The Impact of Biological Sex on Physical Function Following 16-Week Elastic Bands Resistance Training Along with Diabetes Education in Older Males and Females with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Frailty.

BACKGROUND Older adults living with both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and frailty show greater physical function impairment than those with either condition alone. Females experience disproportionately worse outcomes, including reduced physical function, higher glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and greater frailty. Yet, little is known about sex effects on physical function after elastic-band training with diabetes education.

OBJECTIVE This study investigated how sex influence's physical function following a 16-week elastic-band resistance training combined with T2DM education in older adults living with T2DM and frailty.

METHODS Participants (n=182) included in the Band-Frail program were 1) aged ≥ 65 years, 2) living with T2DM or with an HbA1c ≥ 6.5%, and 3) were at least pre-frail based on the Fried's Frailty Scale. The intervention was a 16-week elastic band resistance training twice a week and T2DM education once a week. The primary outcome was physical function (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB): Score=0-12), with secondary outcomes of HbA1c, and Frailty score (1-5).

RESULTS Intention to Treat (ITT) revealed a significant change for physical function (Coef=0.83; 95% CI, 0.28% to 1.37%; P=0.004), HbA1c (Coef=-0.28; 95% CI, -0.53 to -0.03; P=0.03), and frailty (Coef=-0.49; 95% CI, -0.73% to -0.24%; P<0.01). A significant Time×Sex interaction (Coef=0.70; 95% CI, 0.07% to 1.33%; P=0.028) was observed for physical function, demonstrating females improving 0.70-points greater than males following the 16-week intervention.

CONCLUSION Biological sex impacts the change in physical function following a 16-week elastic bands resistance training program and T2DM education in older adults living with T2DM and frailty.