Across New Mexico, where rates of Type 2 Diabetes remain among the highest in the nation (approximately 1 in every 7 New Mexico adults lives with Type 2 Diabetes), researchers at The University of New Mexico are working to answer a critical question: What if exercise could be prescribed as precisely as medicine?
While exercise is widely recognized as a cornerstone of diabetes management, it is often narrowly associated with "cardio" exercise such as walking, running, or cycling. However, resistance training (or weightlifting) is an equally powerful and often underappreciated tool for improving glucose regulation and metabolic health.
At the UNM College of Education and Human Sciences (COEHS), Assistant Professor Flavio de Castro Magalhães is leading research that explores how resistance training (commonly known as weightlifting) can improve glucose regulation in individuals with prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. His work focuses not only on whether exercise helps, but also on how to tailor it to each individual for maximum benefit.
"Exercise is already known to improve glucose metabolism," de Castro said. "What we are trying to understand is how different people respond to different exercise prescriptions, and how we can use that information to make exercise more effective and sustainable for each person."
A growing health challenge
Diabetes and related metabolic conditions pose a significant and growing challenge in New Mexico, particularly among older adults. As the population ages, the need for interventions that improve both metabolic health and physical function becomes more urgent.
de Castro's research addresses both. Resistance training not only improves blood glucose control but also builds muscle mass and strength — key factors in maintaining independence later in life.
"Strength and muscle mass decline as we age," he said. "Resistance exercise helps counteract that, while also improving how the body uses glucose. It's a dual benefit, especially important for older populations."
From snapshots to continuous insight
A central tool in de Castro's lab is continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), a wearable technology that tracks glucose levels every few minutes over several days. Unlike traditional blood tests, which provide a single snapshot, CGM reveals how glucose fluctuates throughout daily life — during meals, sleep, and exercise.
"Dr. de Castro's work reflects exactly what we strive to do at COEHS — apply research in ways that directly improve lives. By advancing personalized approaches to health and wellness, he is helping New Mexicans not only manage chronic conditions, but live with greater strength, independence, and dignity."
— COEHS Dean Kris Goodrich
This deeper view allows researchers to observe how even a single session of exercise can affect blood glucose levels for up to 24 to 48 hours. Over time, repeated exercise sessions can reduce overall glucose levels and improve long-term metabolic health.
"Each exercise session creates a temporary improvement," de Castro said. "When those sessions are repeated consistently, they lead to meaningful changes over time."
Toward personalized exercise prescriptions
One of the most promising aspects of the research is its focus on individualized responses to exercise. Not all bodies respond the same way to the same workout, and de Castro is studying how variables like intensity, frequency, and volume affect each person differently.
The goal is to identify which types of exercise produce the strongest response for each individual — and eventually match people with the routines that work best for them.
"In the future, we envision a model where exercise can be personalized," he said. "If we can identify how someone responds early on, we may be able to prescribe the type of exercise that will be most effective for them long term."
This approach could also improve adherence, a major barrier in exercise-based interventions. When individuals see results that feel meaningful and manageable, they are more likely to continue.
Expanding the research frontier
Looking ahead, de Castro is launching a new study that combines resistance exercise with photobiomodulation, a form of light therapy shown to reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery. Supported by internal UNM funding, the project will examine whether reducing discomfort can help participants stay consistent with exercise routines.
Even modest improvements in adherence, he said, could significantly amplify long-term health outcomes.
"If people feel better and are more willing to continue exercising, that alone can make a big difference," he said.
Research with real-world impact
Beyond the data, de Castro notes that participant feedback has been one of the most rewarding aspects of his work. Many report feeling stronger, more capable, and more confident in their ability to manage their health.
That human impact is central to the mission of COEHS.
"Dr. de Castro's work reflects exactly what we strive to do at COEHS — apply research in ways that directly improve lives," said COEHS Dean Kris Goodrich. "By advancing personalized approaches to health and wellness, he is helping New Mexicans not only manage chronic conditions, but live with greater strength, independence, and dignity."
Fabiano Amorim, chair of the Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Science, emphasized the broader implications of the research.
"This work represents the future of exercise science," Amorim said. "It moves us beyond one-size-fits-all recommendations and toward precision-based interventions that meet people where they are. That's how we create lasting impact in our communities."
Rooted in New Mexico
Originally from Brazil, de Castro joined UNM in 2023 after previous collaborations with faculty in the program. He credits the university's research environment and collaborative culture for supporting the growth of his work.
Now, as his research expands, so does its potential to address one of New Mexico's most pressing health challenges.
At COEHS, that work is part of a broader commitment: preparing professionals, advancing research, and building solutions that keep New Mexico moving, growing, and learning.
