Exercises therapy as well as diet therapy, is fundamental in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, however, its methods and effects of long term physical exercises therapy have not yet been clarified.
The present study has been designed to evaluated th...
Exercises therapy as well as diet therapy, is fundamental in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, however, its methods and effects of long term physical exercises therapy have not yet been clarified.
The present study has been designed to evaluated the effects of a long term physical training in diabetic patients with fasting hyperglycemia. Ten non-insulin dependent diabetic patients participated in a 6-month training program consisting of 30-min. of jogging, performed 3 times per week (Exercises group). The exercises intensity represented 40% of estimated Vo2max. The following results were obtained:
1) More significant improvement of glucose tolerance and plasma insulin response to glucose load was observed in exercise group as compared with the patients treated with mild caloric restriction alone(Diet group).
2) The significant increase in plasma HDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio was observed only in exercise group.
3) The reduction of body weight in exercise group was significantly greater than that in diet group.
4) The training program also resulted in an improvement of cardiovascular response to treadmill exercise test.
5) The significant improvement of physical fitness, especially in endurance, was also found in trained diabetics.
In conclusion, exercise therapy is useful as an adjunct to diet to improve metabolic control in patients with diabetes mellitus. For making the exercise therapy more effective its program must be individualized.