Relationship between pedometer-registered activity, aerobic capacity and self-reported activity and fitness in patients with type 2 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between pedometer-registered activity, aerobic capacity (VO(2 max)) and self-reported activity and fitness in patients with type 2 diabetes before and after a 12-week exercise programme.


METHODS
Twenty-nine men with type 2 diabetes (age=57.4 (7.8) years, BMI=31.7 (2.8) kg/m(2)) underwent exercise testing, registered pedometer activity and reported their physical fitness and activity in a questionnaire. Participants were randomly allocated to an exercise (EX) group (n=15) or a control (CO) group (n=14). Participants in EX group were offered supervised exercise twice a week for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, participants again underwent exercise testing, fasting blood tests and registration of pedometer activity.


RESULTS
At baseline, pedometer activity correlated with VO(2 max) (r=0.43, p=0.02) and with perceived physical fitness (r=0.48, p=0.02). After, but not before, intervention, pedometer activity and VO(2 max) additionally correlated with perceived everyday activity (r=0.62, p<0.01 and r=0.49, p=0.03, respectively). Both EX and CO groups tended to increase pedometer activity. In EX group, weight decreased by 2.7% (p=0.01), VO(2 max) increased 10.6% (p=0.03) and HbA1c decreased by 5.2% from baseline (p=0.02). In EX group, an increase in pedometer activity correlated with a fall in HbA1c (r=0.84, p<0.01) and in diastolic blood pressure (r=0.77, p=0.025).


CONCLUSIONS
Pedometer activity correlates with VO(2 max) in type-2 diabetic patients. Our exercise programme was well tolerated; it produced favourable effects on body weight, aerobic capacity and metabolic control. The use of pedometer may lead to more realistic assessment of perceived everyday physical activity.
Bjørgaas
M
M
Department of Internal Medicine, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. marit.bjorgaas@medisin.ntnu.no
Vik
J T
JT
Saeterhaug
A
A
Langlo
L
L
Sakshaug
T
T
Mohus
R M
RM
Grill
V
V
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness