Evaluation of the effects of exercise on insulin sensitivity in Arabian and Swedish women with type 2 diabetes

• Published in: Diabetes research and clinical practice Vol. 85; no. 1; pp. 69 - 74
• Main Authors: Glans, F, Eriksson, K.-F, Segerström, Å, Thorsson, O, Wollmer, P, Groop, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.07.2009
• Subjects: Adult; Albuminuria - epidemiology; Arabs; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Clinical Medicine; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - physiopathology; Endocrinology & Metabolism; Endocrinology and Diabetes; Endokrinologi och diabetes; Exercise; Exercise - physiology; Female; Glucose Clamp Technique; Glycated Hemoglobin A - metabolism; Heart Rate; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Insulin sensitivity; Klinisk medicin; Life Style; Medical and Health Sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Middle Aged; Overweight - blood; Overweight - physiopathology; Oxygen Consumption; Sweden; Walking; W/H; ventilatory threshold; Exercise; Insulin sensitivity; body mass index; waist hip ratio; fat-free mass; FFM; albumin excretion rate; AER; VT; BMI
• ISSN: 0168-8227; 1872-8227; 1872-8227
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2009.04.018

Abstract Aims The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of exercise on cardio-respiratory fitness and insulin sensitivity in sedentary, overweight Arabian and Swedish women with type 2 diabetes. Methods Eighteen Arabian and 14 Swedish women participated in a supervised 6-month resistance training and aerobic program of moderate intensity. Insulin sensitivity and VO2max were measured at entry to the study and after 3 and 6 months training. Results After 6 months exercise, insulin sensitivity ( M -value) increased (2.7 ± 1.4 mg kg−1 min−1 vs. 3.4 ± 2 mg kg−1 min−1 , p < 0.05) in all patients and accounted for by an increase in non-oxidative glucose metabolism (0.3 ± 1.1 mg kg−1 min−1 vs. 1.5 ± 1.5 mg kg−1 min−1 , p < 0.005) with no significant difference between the ethnic groups. Notably, significant improvement in HbA1c was only seen in the Swedish patients who achieved greater exercise intensity (73.3 ± 4.8% vs. 63.3 ± 5.2% of maximum heart rate, p < 0.005). No changes were observed regarding VO2max or lipid profile in either group. Conclusions Although a 6-month exercise intervention of moderate intensity in Arabian and Swedish patients with type 2 diabetes can improve insulin sensitivity it is hampered by the metabolic inflexibility of switching between oxidation of glucose or fat.