THE EFFECT OF AEROBIC EXERCISE ON FASTING GLUCOSE LEVEL IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES

Koca Tuba Tülay*, Özdemir Filiz Çileda?, Talu Burcu and Talu Yasin

ABSTRACT

Aim: To investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on the fasting glucose level in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Material and Methods: The study was performed on patients with T2DM diagnosed with degenerative arthritis who visited the physical therapy and rehabilitation polyclinic of the state hospital between March 2015 and June 2015. A total of 35 patients, age 40–70 years, who agreed to participate in the study were included. The patients were asked to fill a descriptive questionnaire to define their sociodemographic aspects A 3-week high-intensity (four times a week, each session lasting 45 min) aerobic exercise training was included in their rehabilitation program. The effect of aerobic exercise training was evaluated by checking their fasting plasma glucose levels that were taken from peripheral blood (brachial vein) samples before and after the therapy. Results: The average age of the patients was 57.6  6.9 years (min. 25, max. 70); 36.1% of the participants were males, and 63.9% were females. The average value of their visual analog scale (VAS) in the recreation period before the therapy and in the activity period was 4.3 ± 2.7 and 6.9 ± 2.2, respectively. The average value of their VAS in the recreation period after the therapy and in the activity period was 2.2 ± 1.7 and 4.7 ± 2.23, respectively. Hence, the present study showed a statistical difference between the average values of VAS before and after the therapy (P < 0.05). Moreover, the average value of the fasting plasma glucose level before and after the therapy was 163.9 ± 19.1 and 140.3 ± 16.3 mg/dl, respectively. Hence, the study demonstrated a statistical difference between the fasting plasma glucose levels before and after the therapy (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The high-intensity aerobic exercise has a positive effect on T2DM. Therefore, patients with T2DM should exercise at all the stages of the therapy, notably for prevention.

Keywords: Aerobic exercise, diabetes mellitus, fasting plasma glucose, insulin resistance.