Exercise program for older patients with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes: long-term effects on metabolic control and BMI.
BACKGROUND
Exercise is an important treatment for diabetes. In our study, we evaluated the acceptance of an exercise program and investigated the long-term effects of exercise on metabolic control and body mass index in older, insulin-treated type 2-diabetic patients.


METHODS
A total of 72 type 2 diabetic patients, aged >or=50 years, participated in an exercise program. At the beginning of the study and after 3 and 12 months, patients completed a questionnaire concerning current activity. Finally, the patients were divided into two groups: those with and without regular exercise. Metabolic control was compared in both groups.


RESULTS
Even during the first workout, blood glucose levels fell. No patient suffered from severe hypoglycemia. Motivation for regular exercise increased from 33 to 77%, decreasing slightly to 65% at 12 months. The mean HbA 1c levels were similar in both groups. However, in the exercise group no weight gain was observed in contrast to 2.5% weight gain in the other group. Moreover, insulin requirements were considerably lower in the exercise group.


CONCLUSIONS
The acceptance of regular exercise is also high in older patients with newly insulin-treated type 2 diabetes. Metabolic control was significantly improved in patients with and without regular exercise; however, in the exercise group, body weight did not increase and insulin requirements were significantly lower.
Biesenbach
G
G
Abt. Interne 2, Allgemeines Krankenhaus Linz, Krankenhausstrasse 9, 4021, Linz, Osterreich. georg.biesenbach@liwest.at
Bodlaj
G
G
Sedlak
M
M
Pieringer
H
H
Kiesling
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001317:Austria; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human