Impact of a 12-week aerobic exercise training program on anthropometric and metabolic parameters of a group of type 2 diabetes Cameroonian women aged ≥50 years.
BACKGROUND
We examined whether aerobic exercise could have an impact on anthropometric and metabolic parameters of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) Cameroonian women aged ≥50 years.


METHODS
We enrolled 23 T2DM Cameroonian women aged ≥50 years regularly followed at the National Obesity Center of Yaounde, Cameroon, in a 12-week aerobic exercise program monitored by a pedometer. Exercise intensity was progressively set between 55% and 75% of maximum heart rate. We measured weight, body mass index (BMI), fat, lean mass, visceral fat, maximum oxygen uptake, glycaemia and insulin tolerance index at baseline, after six and twelve weeks. A mixed ANOVA model was used to evaluate changes of outcome measures over time.


RESULTS
Total body weight was significantly reduced after 12 weeks (P<0.05), waist circumference after 6 and 12 weeks (P<0.05). There was an increase of the lean mass from 6 weeks (P<0.001) and a reduction of the mean visceral fat at 12 weeks (P<0.001). At the end of the program, the mean glycaemia was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the maximum oxygen uptake was enhanced (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The 12-week aerobic exercise program improved the anthropometric and metabolic parameters as well as the aerobic capacity of T2DM Cameroonian women aged ≥50 years.
National Youth and Sports Institute, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Yves
Y
Dahjio
Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa;; Medical Diagnostic Center, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Jean Jacques N
JJ
Noubiap
Department of Physiological Sciences and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Marcel
M
Azabji-Kenfack
Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Mickael
M
Essouma
National Obesity Center, Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Gabriel Ekali
GE
Loni
National Obesity Center, Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Arnold Ewane
AE
Onana
National Obesity Center, Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Mesmin
M
Dehayem
National Obesity Center, Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Angeline
A
Mvom
National Youth and Sports Institute, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Maurice Njock
MN
Tadjore
Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon;; National Obesity Center, Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon;; Laboratory for Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Biotechnology Center, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Eugene
E
Sobngwi
Aerobic exercise; aerobic capacity; anthropometric parameters; metabolic parameters