Effectiveness of structured exercise program on insulin resistance and quality of life in type 2 diabetes mellitus-A randomized controlled trial

PLoS One. 2024 May 21;19(5):e0302831. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302831. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Objective: Impaired glucose control & Insulin resistance are reported to be risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases. To find the effects of a structured exercise program on insulin resistance, glycaemic control, functional capacity, and quality of life in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Design: Randomized, controlled trial.

Setting: Diabetic Foot Clinic, Department of Physiotherapy & Department of General Medicine, Kasturba Hospital in Manipal, Karnataka, India.

Participants: 160 participants aged between 30-65 years with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Intervention: A set of structured exercise programs (aerobic, resistance, and combined) along with the standard hospital care was performed 3-5 times weekly for 12 weeks.

Measurements: primary outcome measures: Fasting Insulin Level, Homa-IR, Six-minute walk test (6MWT), and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire at baseline and 12th week.

Secondary outcome measures: Body composition analysis, Fasting Blood Sugar, Postprandial Blood Sugar, Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c), and GPAQ questionnaire at baseline and 12th week.

Results: Significant differences have been observed in Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (Homa-IR) (F (1, 144) = 89.29, p < 0.001); Fasting insulin (FI) (F (1, 144) = 129.10, p < 0.001); Fasting blood sugar (FBS) (F (1, 144) = 12.193, p< 0.001); Post prandial blood sugar (PPBS) (F (1, 144) = 53.015, p< 0.001); glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) (F (1, 144) = 80.050, p < 0.001); WHOQOL-Physical health (F (1, 144) = 20.008, p< 0.001), Psychological (F (1, 144) = 77.984, p< 0.001), Social relationship (F (1, 144) = 44.866, p< 0.001); Environmental (F (1, 144) = 69.974, p< 0.001); Six minute walk test (6MWT) (F (1, 144) = 84.135, p< 0.001) in the study group when compared with the control group from baseline to 12th week.

Conclusions: The study reveals that a 12-week structured exercise training program effectively reduces insulin resistance, improves quality of life, enhances functional capacity, and improves glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / therapy
  • Exercise / physiology
  • Exercise Therapy / methods
  • Female
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / analysis
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life*
  • Treatment Outcome

Grants and funding

The author(s) received no specific funding for this work.