Effect of life-style activity of varying duration on glycemic control in type II diabetic women.
Life-style activities such as walking are often recommended for patients with type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Because many of these patients are overweight and sedentary, such low-intensity activity would appear most appropriate, especially during initial intervention. However, there has been little research on the effects of low-intensity life-style activity on glycemic control. This study examined the effects of varying the duration (0, 20, or 40 min) of low-intensity exercise (50-55% of age-predicted max heart rate) on glycemic responses during exercise and a subsequent meal in type II diabetic patients. Glycemic response to exercise was significantly related to the duration of activity; 20 min of activity decreased blood glucose (BG) by 6 mg/dl, whereas 40 min decreased BG by 16 mg/dl. The effect of exercise on glucose was maintained over a 30-min rest period but disappeared after a meal was consumed. Insulin and the insulin-to-glucose ratio were not affected by the length of activity. These data suggest that life-style activity of long duration (20-40 min) produces a significant, but modest, decrease in glucose levels in type II diabetic women.
Paternostro-Bayles
M
M
Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Wing
R R
RR
Robertson
R J
RJ
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D004435:Eating; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin