Evaluation of physical fitness in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare functional capacity in 30 Type 2 Diabetic patients with 30 healthy non-diabetic control subjects.


METHODS
Physical fitness was evaluated using the "EUROFIT Physical Fitness Test Battery". This battery estimates body composition, cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal and motor fitness.


RESULTS
Percentage of body fat (PBF) was higher in the diabetic compared with control groups (P<0.05) although body mass index (BMI) was similar. Biceps and suprailiac skinfold thickness were also greater in the diabetic group (P<0.05). The 6-min walking distance and VO(2max) were significantly lower in the diabetic group (P<0.05). The diabetic patients had lower values of the single leg balance test with eyes opened and closed. Jump-stretch, handgrip and side-bending of trunk tests were also lower in the diabetic patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical functional capacity is lower in Type 2 diabetic patients than in age-matched control subjects.
Ozdirenç
Mehtap
M
School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Dokuz Eylül University, 35340 Inciralti-Izmir, Turkey. mehtapz@yahoo.com
Biberoğlu
Sevinç
S
Ozcan
Ayşe
A
D001823:Body Composition; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology