The SPIRIT Study
South Pacific Islanders Resist diabetes with Intense exercise Training
The SPIRIT Study is the first randomised controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of supervised progressive resistance training (weight training) as a form of therapy for improving blood sugar control in Polynesian (Pacific Island and Maori) individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Forty participants with type 2 diabetes will be referred by Pacific Islands church groups and diabetes health professionals, mostly in the Porirua area. All will be thoroughly tested and assessed prior to commencement. Twenty will take part in supervised weight lifting for 16 weeks while the rest will have usual care (no exercise). The control group will receive 16 weeks of supervised training upon completion. The weight lifting will involve nine exercises, targeting all major muscles of the body, performed three times a week at City Fitness in Porirua.
Massey University PhD candidate William Sukala says it has been well established that Polynesian people are disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes and obesity, compared with their European counterparts.
“The epidemic of diabetes within the Pacific Islands and Maori community is a major public health concern that must be addressed with appropriate interventions.”
He says other international studies conducted in high-risk groups have indicated that weight lifting is both safe and effective in improving blood sugar control and other factors in type 2 diabetes management.
“However, there has been very little advocacy for its use in the medical management of Polynesians diagnosed with diabetes. This is likely to be because no clinical trials have been conducted within the Pacific island group.
“At present the generic advice given to people with diabetes is usually a vague ‘get out and take a walk’. This is not necessarily bad advice, however, at this point, nobody even considers the therapeutic value of weight lifting,” he says.
For their study, the Massey researchers from the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health have partnered with the National Heart Foundation, the Capital and Coast District Health Board, Porirua-based City Fitness, Pacific Island churches and diabetes health professionals.
“We know that earlier studies support the value of physical exercise in preventing and mitigating both diabetes and obesity in Maori and Pacific Island people. But this is the first randomised, controlled study – and the first New Zealand study – to focus specifically on weight lifting. We intend to prove its value with this research,” says Mr Sukala.
“The objective is to first run the study as a strictly controlled trial, and then adapt it into a self-determined, community based fitness programme that people want to take part in. That can be encouraged and taken forward by Pacific Island churches and community centres, not just within New Zealand, but back to the islands as well.”
Mr Sukala expects the study will also bring benefits to the wider community.
“The fact that it is taking place will raise awareness within the scientific community and the public of the value of weight lifting as a safe and effective weapon in the fight against diabetes and its close ally, obesity,” he says.
William R. Sukala, MSc, CSCS is the prinicipal investigator for the SPIRIT study.
William blends his fun and easy-going personality
with his combined 18 years experience as both a clinical exercise
physiologist in cardiac rehabilitation and personal trainer. He holds a bachelor's degree in Nutrition, a
master's degree in Exercise Physiology, and is currently conducting the SPIRIT study towards his Ph.D in Exercise and Sport Science. For more information, visit www.williamsukala.com.
Do I qualify? (*)
Entry Criteria
● Self-identified Polynesian descent
● Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes
● Waist circumference of 88cm for women and 102cm for men
● Medically-stable: no changes in diabetes medications over past two months
● Not currently receiving insulin injections. Oral meds ok.
● Available for the 16 week intervention in Porirua (WGTN)
*A phone screen will be conducted to conclusively qualify you for participation.