Effect of a two-week program of individually monitored physical activity on insulin resistance in obese non-insulin-dependent diabetics

Abstract

It is well known that under the influence of regular, individually measured aerobic physical activity, it is possible to raise the biological efficiency of insulin by several mechanisms: by increasing the number of insulin receptors, their sensitivity and efficiency, as well as by increasing glucose transporters GLUT-4 on the level of cell membrane. The aim of this research was to examine whether decreased insulin resistance could be achieved under the influence of the program of individually measured aerobic physical activity in the 2-week period, in the obese type 2 diabetes patients with the increased aerobic capacity (VO2)max. In 10 type 2 diabetes patients 47.6 +/- 4.6 years of age (group E), in the 14-days period, program of aerobic training was applied (10 sessions--35 min session of walking on treadmill, intensity 60.8 +/- 5.7% (VO2)max, frequency 5 times a week), as well as 1,600 kcal diet. At the same time, other 10 type 2 diabetes patients 45.9 +/- 5.5 years of age (group C) were on 1,600 kcal diet. Before and after this period the following was measured in both groups: insulin sensitivity (M/I) by the method of hyperinsulin euglycemic clamp, and (VO2)max by Astrand test on ergocycle. In contrast to the group C, in the second testing of E group subjects a significant increase was obtained in M/I (1.23 +/- 0.78 vs. 2.42 +/- 0.95 mg/kg/min/mU p < 0.001, 96.75%) as well as the increase of (VO2)max (26.34 +/- 4.26 vs. 29.16 +/- 5.01 ml/kg/min p < 0.05, 10.7%). The results had shown that 2-week program of aerobic training had had significant influence on the increased aerobic capacity and insulin sensitivity in the tested patients.