Research article - (2012)11, 495 - 501
Effects of Six Months of Combined Aerobic and Resistance Training for Elderly Patients with a Long History of Type 2 Diabetes
Sijie Tan1, Wei Li2, Jianxiong Wang3,
1Department of Health and Exercise Science, Tianjin University of Sport, China
2Department of Physical Education, Tianjin University of Finance & Economics, China
3Centre for Systems Biology, Department of Biological & Physical Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Australia

Jianxiong Wang
✉ Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, Centre for Systems Biology, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba QLD 4350, Australia
Email: wangj@usq.edu.au
Received: 18-11-2011 -- Accepted: 14-06-2012
Published (online): 01-09-2012

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the effects of a 6-month combined aerobic and resistance training program on the body composition, glycemic control, lipid profile, and functional capacity of older patients with a long history of type 2 diabetes. 25 subjects (65.9 ± 4. 2 yrs; M/F: 13/12) with a long history of type 2 diabetes (16.7 ± 6.7 yrs) were randomly allocated into either the exercise or control groups. The exercise group trained three sessions a week. Each session consisted of a warm-up period, 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise, 10 minutes of resistance training with five leg muscle exercises (two sets of 10-12 repetitions at 50-70% of 1RM for each activity), and a cool-down period. The variables of body composition, glycemic control, lipid profile, and functional capacity were measured before and after the study period. Exercise training decreased waist-hip ratio and body fat of the trained subjects. Concentrations of fasting and 2-hour post-glucose challenge plasma glucose and serum insulin, and glycosylated hemoglobin decreased significantly in the exercise group. Exercise training improved the lipid profile and also increased the leg muscle strength and 6-minute walking distance of the trained subjects. The control group, however, increased their body fat and fasting plasma glucose, while other variables were not changed during the study period. The current results demonstrate that elderly patients with a long history of type 2 diabetes can benefit from the 6-month combined aerobic and resistance training program.

Key words: Type 2 diabetes, exercise training, glycemic control, lipid profile, functional capacity

Key Points
  • Exercise training is effective for elderly patients with long-term type 2 diabetes
  • Exercise prescription for elderly patients with type 2 diabetes should contain both aerobic and resistance activities








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