Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of a 6-month combined aerobic
and resistance training program on the body composition, glycemic
control, lipid profile, and functional capacity of older
patients with a long history of type 2 diabetes. 25 subjects (65.9
± 4.2 yrs; M/F: 13/12) with a long history of type 2 diabetes
(16.7 ± 6.7 yrs) were randomly allocated into either the exercise
or control groups. The exercise group trained three sessions a
week. Each session consisted of a warm-up period, 30 minutes
of moderate aerobic exercise, 10 minutes of resistance training
with five leg muscle exercises (two sets of 10-12 repetitions at
50-70% of 1RM for each activity), and a cool-down period. The
variables of body composition, glycemic control, lipid profile,
and functional capacity were measured before and after the
study period. Exercise training decreased waist-hip ratio and
body fat of the trained subjects. Concentrations of fasting and 2-
hour post-glucose challenge plasma glucose and serum insulin,
and glycosylated hemoglobin decreased significantly in the
exercise group. Exercise training improved the lipid profile and
also increased the leg muscle strength and 6-minute walking
distance of the trained subjects. The control group, however,
increased their body fat and fasting plasma glucose, while other
variables were not changed during the study period. The current
results demonstrate that elderly patients with a long history of
type 2 diabetes can benefit from the 6-month combined aerobic
and resistance training program.
Key words: Type 2 diabetes, exercise training, glycemic control,
lipid profile, functional capacity.