Heart rate prescribed walking training improves cardiorespiratory fitness but not glycaemic control in people with type 2 diabetes.
In this study, we examined the effects of a supervised, heart rate intensity prescribed walking training programme on cardiorespiratory fitness and glycaemic control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. After receiving local ethics approval, 27 individuals (21 males, 6 females) with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to an experimental ("walking") or control group. Participants completed a Balke-Ware test to determine peak heart rate, peak oxygen consumption (VO(2peak)), and peak gradient. The walking group then completed a 7-week (four sessions a week) supervised, heart rate prescribed walking training programme, whereas the control group continued daily life. After training, participants completed another Balke-Ware test. Fasting blood glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin were measured at rest. The results showed that walking training elicited 80% (s = 2) of peak heart rate and a rating of perceived exertion of 11 (s = 1). Peak heart rate and VO(2peak) were higher in the walking than in the control group after training (P < 0.05). Based on the peak gradient before training, the respiratory exchange ratio was significantly lower (P < 0.05) and there was a strong trend for VO(2) (P = 0.09) and heart rate (P = 0.09) to be lower after training at the same gradient in the walking compared with the control group. These improvements increased walking peak gradient by 5 min (s = 4 min) compared with the control (P < 0.05). There was no change in fasting blood glucose or glycosylated haemoglobin after training. Despite no change in glycaemic control, heart rate prescribed walking improved peak and sub-maximal cardiorespiratory responses. The beneficial adaptations support the use of heart rate monitoring during walking in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Morton
Richard D
RD
Sports and Exercise Science Research Centre, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, UK. r.morton@swansea.ac.uk
West
Daniel J
DJ
Stephens
Jeffrey W
JW
Bain
Stephen C
SC
Bracken
Richard M
RM
D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin