title: Relationships among exercise capacity, dynamic balance and gait characteristics of Nigerian patients with type-2 diabetes: an indication for fall prevention.
abstract: This study investigated the relationships among exercise capacity (EC), dynamic balance (DB), and gait characteristics (GCs) of patients with type-2 diabetes (T2D) and healthy controls (HCs). This observational controlled study involved 125 patients with T2D receiving treatment at a Nigerian university teaching hospital and 125 apparently healthy patients' relatives and hospital staff recruited as controls. EC maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) was estimated following a 6-min walk test. DB and GC were assessed using the Time Up to Go Test and an accelerometer (BTS G-Walk) assessing gait speed, step length, stride length, and cadence respectively during a self-selected walk. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set atP<0.05. The mean ages of patients with T2D and HCs were 57.6±6.6 and 60.0±7.0 years, respectively. All physical characteristics were comparable (P>0.05). There were significant differences in the VO2max and DB between patients with T2D and HCs; 7.6±0.6 mL/kg/min vs. 9.6±0.6 mL/kg/min (t=-16.6,P=0.001) and 14.2±2.1 sec vs. 10.4±1.5 sec (t=-6.37,P=0.001), respectively. Furthermore, significant differences were found in GC between patients with T2D and HCs; gait speed: 0.7±0.1 m/sec vs. 1.2±0.1 m/sec (t=-16.60,P=0.001), step length: 0.6±0.2 m vs. 0.9±0.3 m (t=-7.56,P=0.001) and stride length: 0.9±0.1 m vs. 1.1±0.5 m (t=-6.09,P=0.001). There were significant correlations between EC and gait speed in both groups (T2D:r=-0.26,P=0.032 and HCs:r=0.51,P=0.003). In conclusion, patients with T2D demonstrated lower EC, unstable DB, and altered GCs compared with HCs. Exercise interventions to improve EC and gait balance are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Taofeek O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Awotidebe
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Rita N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Ativie
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Kayode I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Oke
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Bayero University Kano, Kano, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Mukadas O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Akindele
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Rufus A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Adedoyin
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Mathew O B
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Olaogun
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Temitope E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Olubayode
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology and Metabolism Unit, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria; Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Babatope A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Kolawole
keywords: Exercise capacity; Fall prevention; Gait parameters; Stability; Type-2 diabetes