Physical exercise and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is considered to be an epidemic in the 21st century. The beneficial effect produced by physical exercise in the management of these patients is well known. Objective: To determine the effect of physical exercise in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who were included in a rehabilitation program, characterize the evolution of the associated risk factors and modify some biochemical and exercise test parameters. Method: An intervention study was conducted in 50 diabetic patients who were included in a rehabilitation program. Each patient underwent physical examination; and blood glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides tests were performed at the beginning of the program and every 6 months during a 24-month period. At the end of each semester, an exercise test was performed according to the Bruce protocol. Results: There was a predominance of female patients (29/50, 58%), white skin patients (48%) and those aged 35-59 years (60.0%). Control of hypertension was achieved in all affected cases, as well as elimination of the sedentary lifestyle. Smoking decreased from 34 to 8.2%. In addition, there was a significant reduction in the average blood glucose levels (5.8 +/- 1.0), glycosylated hemoglobin (5.9 +/- 1.0) and triglycerides (1.7 +/- 0.4). Conclusions: In the diabetic patients of the study, the control of the disease and its associated risk factors improved; and some parameters of the exercise test also improved.