The effect of non-supervised moderate intensity aerobic physical activity on glycemic control, lipid profile and Body mass index (BMI) of type II diabetic patients in Benghazi

Abstract

: Background: Diabetes mellitus has become a worldwide epidemic. Applying exercise regularly has a positive impact on type II diabetics and considered as a therapeutic non-pharmacological mode for diabetes mellitus (DM). Aims: to study the effects of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity on glycemic control, lipid profile and body mass index (BMI) of type II diabetics. Method: 80 cases of type II diabetic patients were recruited. While 54 subjects were involved on non-supervised regular exercise (30 minutes- 5 to 7 days/week) for 12 weeks (EX group), 26 were sedentary (NEX group). Complete history and laboratory investigations including fasting blood sugar (FBS), random blood sugar (RBS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), cholesterol (Ch), Triglyceride (T.G.), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), very low density lipoprotien (VLDL) and BMI were measured for each participant in two time points: base line and after 12 weeks. Results: Base line glycemic indices for EX group (FBS, and HbA1c) were significantly reduced after 12 weeks of exercise (180.4 ±67.9 Vs 124 ±30, 8.38 ±2 Vs 7 ±1.2, respectively; P value = 0.000). There was a significant decrease in Cholesterol, TG, and LDL values post 12 weeks of exercise compared to baseline values (p value= 0.000). Similarly, the results reported a significant decrease in BMI values post exercise compared to pre-exercise measurements (30± 6 Vs 31 ± 6, P value =0.000). No significant changes were documented in glycemic indices, lipid profile and BMI in the control group. Conclusion: The aerobic exercise has a beneficial effect on metabolic control (i.e. hyperglycemia, hyper lipidemic and obesity) for diabetes. Hence, it is recommended as a non-pharmacologic therapeutic modality in the management of type II DM. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------