title: Soccer training improves cardiac function in men with type 2 diabetes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, which is worsened by physical inactivity. Subclinical myocardial dysfunction is associated with increased risk of heart failure and impaired prognosis in T2DM; however, it is not clear if exercise training can counteract the early signs of diabetic heart disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the effects of soccer training on cardiac function, exercise capacity, and blood pressure in middle-age men with T2DM.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one men age 49.8 ± 1.7 yr with T2DM and no history of cardiovascular disease participated in a soccer training group (n = 12) that trained 1 h twice a week or a control group (n = 9) with no change in lifestyle. Examinations included comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography, measurements of blood pressure, maximal oxygen consumption (V(˙)O(2max)), and intermittent endurance capacity before and after 12 and 24 wk. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 24 wk of soccer training, left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic diameter and volume were increased (P < 0.001) compared to baseline. LV longitudinal systolic displacement was augmented by 23% (P < 0.001) and global longitudinal two-dimensional strain increased by 10% (P < 0.05). LV diastolic function, determined by mitral inflow (E/A ratio) and peak diastolic velocity E', was increased by 18% (P < 0.01) and 29% (P < 0.001), respectively, whereas LV filling pressure E/E' was reduced by 15% (P = 0.05). Systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures were all reduced by 8 mm Hg (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). V(˙)O(2max) and intermittent endurance capacity was 12% and 42% (P < 0.001) higher, respectively. No changes in any of the measured parameters were observed in control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regular soccer training improves cardiac function, increases exercise capacity, and lowers blood pressure in men with T2DM.
authors.affiliation: 1Copenhagen Centre for Team Sports and Health, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DENMARK; 2Department of Cardiology, Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen, DENMARK; 3Steno Diabetes Center, Copenhagen and Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, DENMARK; 4Sport and Health Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, St. Luke's Campus, University of Exeter, Devon, UNITED KINGDOM; and 5Department of Cardiology, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, DENMARK.
authors.forename: Jakob Friis
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Thomas Rostgaard
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Horton
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brix
authors.forename: Lise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tarnow
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krustrup
authors.forename: Lars Juel
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bangsbo
authors.forename: Peter Riis
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003718:Denmark; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; D004452:Echocardiography; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D006334:Heart Function Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012916:Soccer; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*; D017725:Ventricular Pressure / Q000502:physiology