Effect of a Single Bout Interval Aerobic Exercise on Blood Glucose Level in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients Ezema Charles I1, Okwuchukwu Chukwuka K1, Amarachukwu Charity N2, Nweke Martins C1,*, Obiekwe Chinwe2, Okafor Christian I3, Okoye Godfrey C1 1Department of Medical Rehabilitation, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus 2Department of Physiotherapy, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-ozalla, Enugu 3Endocrinology Unit, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu *Corresponding Author Martins C Nweke, Department of Medical Rehabilitation, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, e-mail: martinsnweke@gmail.com
Online published on 21 November, 2019. Abstract Long term aerobic exercise is beneficial for combating hyperglycaemia in T2DM patients, however, little is known about the immediate effect of aerobic exercise on hyperglycaemia in this populace. Ascertaining this might be useful in managing sudden rise in blood glucose level seen in poorly managed T2DM patients in our environment. This is an interventional study in which sex and age-matched T2DM patients participated. Subjects were randomly allocated into groups, and were on prescribed oral hypoglycemics and diabetes exchange diet, which provided about 50–60% of calories from carbohydrates, 10–20% of calories from protein and < 30% of calories from fat, while the intervention group had exercise in addition. We used three different measures of blood glucose level: FBG, HbA1c and fructosamine. Subjects’ aerobic capacities were determined prior to the intervention, which constituted interval aerobic exercise performed at sub-maximal intensity for 48 minutes at work-rest ratio of 1: 1. A total of 40 (20 male and 20 females) T2DM patients, with mean age and body mass index of 56±8years and 26±4Kg/m2 respectively participated in the study. At baseline, the intervention and control groups had similar anthropometric, cardiovascular characteristics (P>0.05), and blood glucose level measured by HbA1c and fructosamine (P> 0.05), while the intervention group had higher FBG. Results reveal significant decrease in blood glucose level measured by FBG (P< 0.05) and fructosamine (P <0.05) in the exercise group. Single bout aerobic exercise reduces blood glucose level in T2DM patients but the reduction is small and short-lived. Top Keywords T2DM, hyperglycaemia, exercise, therapy, physical activity. Top |