Dodging diabetes

By Casey Neill
RESEARCHERS will tackle diabetes head-on with help from hills residents.
Deakin University and Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute launched the Strength Training Ongoing (STRONG) study at Upwey’s Ranges Fitness last month.
Locals with type two diabetes or who are at risk of developing the disease are urged to participate in the strength training program.
Baker Institute Associate Professor David Dunstan said there was ‘good evidence’ strength training helped manage type two diabetes.
“The real challenge now is to identify ways to help people with or at risk of developing type two diabetes to not only start a safe and effective program, but to provide the support to help them maintain the training in the long-term,” he said.
He said the STRONG study would help researchers gain a better understanding of how to do so. The study will take place in 16 gyms across Victoria. Participants will attend small group personal training sessions at Ranges Fitness twice a week for six months.
Applicants must be aged between 40 and 75, not already be participating in strength training, fit weight criteria and become a paying gym member.
More information is available by calling Michelle Jorna at Deakin University on 9251 7247 or sending an email to STRONG@deakin.edu.au.