Endocrine Abstracts

Background and aims: Exercise intervention programs have been proved beneficial for inactive type 2 diabetes patients by improving physical fitness, anthropometric parameters, glycaemic control and lipid profile. The aim of this study was to examine the additional benefits of a supervised systematic exercise program in physically active postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and methods: Ten physically active, postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes under medical treatment (57.4±4.8 years old; 10.6±6.1 years diabetes duration; 3.3±3.0 years of training experience) participated in a supervised systematic program (4 sessions per week for 6 months) combining aerobic (60–80% maximum heart rate) and strength training (70% 1 repetition maximum). Physical fitness, anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured at baseline and after 6 months of exercise.

Results: Systematic exercise improved physical fitness (VO₂ peak (ml/min per kg): 17.7±3.4 vs 19.9±3.3; power (W): 128.6±30.4 vs 160.7±24.4; muscle strength (kg): upper 26.3±6.9 vs 35.6±4.2, lower 26.9±8.0 vs 35.6±5.0; P<0.05). Exercise training decreased HbA_1c (7.6±0.5 vs 6.7±0.8%; P<0.05) and triglycerides (124.7±44.8 vs 92.6±29.9 mg/dl) whereas there was no change on total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and fibrinogen. Furthermore, body mass was reduced (81.5±8.6 vs 79.0±9.7 kg; P<0.05), as well as waist circumference (102.8±11.8 vs 99.8±11.1 cm; P<0.05).

Conclusion: Supervised systematic exercise combining both aerobic and strength training significantly improves oxygen consumption, power and muscle strength, has additional benefits on glycaemic control, body composition and lipid profile and therefore ameliorates the health status of physically active women with type 2 diabetes.