The effects of aerobic exercise training on mental health and self-esteem of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Physical and mental health are very closely tied and either of them can exert a significant effect on the other. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of aerobic exercise training on mental health and self-esteem of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. 60 participants, aged 40 to 55 years, with blood sugar ranging between 150 to 250 mg/dL participated in the study. They were randomly divided into two groups of 30 patients. The interventional group exercised for twelve weeks, three sessions per week, lasting from 45 to 60 minutes, followed by endurance training on treadmill. Training's intensity was considered equal to 60-70% of maximum oxygen consumption. According to the results of the study, 12-week aerobic exercise training had significant effects on self-esteem (P=0.001), and mental health (P=0.020), sub-scales of physical symptoms (P=0.001), and anxiety and insomnia (P=0.044). But it had no significant effects on the sub-scales of depression (P=0.078) and social functioning (P=0.207). Regular aerobic exercise training as an effective strategy plays an important role in improving self-esteem and mental health and also promoting life quality among diabetic patients.