Table 1 Descriptive characteristics of the Standard and Enhanced strength training groups at baseline

N

156

162

Women, n (%)

90 (58 %)

97 (60 %)

Age (years)

55.5 ± 8.6

56.3 ± 8.7

Diagnosed type 2 diabetes, n (%)

49 (31 %)

68 (42 %)

Current Smokers, n (%)

5 (3)

8 (5 %)

Education

 Did not complete high school, n (%)

26 (17 %)

24 (15 %)

 Completed high school, n (%)

30 (20 %)

32 (21 %)

 Technical/trade qualification, n (%)

19 (12 %)

23 (15 %)

 University/tertiary, n (%)

77 (51 %)

77 (49 %)

Employment status

 Full time, n (%)

59 (48 %)

54 (43 %)

 Part time, n (%)

42 (34 %)

33 (26 %)

 Home duties, n (%)

3 (3 %)

5 (4 %)

 Retired, n (%)

11 (9 %)

21 (17 %)

 Other, n (%)

7 (6 %)

12 (10 %)

Anthropometry

 Height (cm)

167.5 ± 8.7

166.2 ± 10.0

 Weight (kg)

93.4 ± 17.3

93.1 ± 19.5

 BMI (kg/m²)

33.2 ± 5.4

33.7 ± 6.7

  HbA1c (%) ª

6.0 ± 0.7

6.3 ± 1.0^*

Muscle strength

 Upper body (kg) ^b

27 ± 16

29 ± 14

 Lower body (kg) ^c

109 ± 52

117 ± 50

Leisure-time physical activity (mins/week) ^d

205 ± 237

198 ± 259

Medication

 Oral hypoglycemic medication use, n (%)

21 (14 %)

43 (27 %)^*

 Insulin use, n (%)

2 (1 %)

2 (1 %)

 Both, n (%)

7 (5 %)

4 (3 %)

Change in medication during between 0–6 months

 Increased, n (%)

1 (4 %)

6 (13 %)

 Decreased, n (%)

3 (12 %)

2 (4 %)

 Same, n (%)

21 (84 %)

38 (83 %)

Change in medication during between 6–12 months

 Increased, n (%)

3 (17 %)

4 (10 %)

 Decreased, n (%)

0 (0 %)

3 (8 %)

 Same, n (%)

15 (83 %)

33 (82 %)