title: Physical exercise for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.
abstract: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is rapidly increasing worldwide, yet its primary prevention and treatment are still a challenge. The objectives of this review are to assess the effects of exercise on the prevention of type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals and on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetic patients. Considering the available reports, there is unequivocal and strong evidence that physical exercise can prevent or delay progression to type 2 diabetes in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. Also, lifestyle interventions, including diet and physical exercise, can result in a reduction of around 50% in diabetes incidence that persists even after the individual lifestyle counselling has stopped. In addition, short-term randomized studies have confirmed that physical training based on endurance and/or resistance exercises can also improve blood glucose control in type 2 diabetics with a mean glycated haemoglobin decrease of 0.6%. Thus, physical exercise should be part of any therapeutic strategy to slow the development of type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals and to improve glucose control in type 2 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diabetology, Metabolic Diseases and Nutrition, CHU de Toulouse, 31073 Toulouse, France. carolinesanz@hotmail.fr
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sanz
authors.forename: J-F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Gautier
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hanaire
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000628:therapy; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010807:Physical Endurance; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D008055:Lipids