The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of an aerobic exercise intervention on blood indicators and physical fitness in middle-aged and older people with type 2 DM in Taiwan. The study used purposive sampling. Forty-one voluntary subjects aged 40 years or over were recruited through community health screening in Keelung City, Taiwan. Moderate aerobic exercise intervention was undertaken three times per week (60 minutes per session, 55%-70% maximum heart rate) for 12 weeks. Blood indicators and physical fitness were examined before and after the exercise program. Blood indicators included fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein. Physical fitness included body mass index (BMI), and readings for body lipids, a sit-and-reach test, and a 12-minute walk. The data were analyzed by SPSS 10.0. All of the compared data were examined by paired t-test (p< .05). The results showed a significant improvement in all data except BMI after the 12-week aerobic exercise program intervention. Body weight, however, did decrease. The results might serve as useful guidance for community health professionals designing health promotion plans for middle-aged and older people in the community with type 2 DM. The study prompts the hope that blood indicators and physical fitness can be improved effectively through regular exercise, thereby promoting quality of life in type 2 DM patients.
The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of an aerobic exercise intervention on blood indicators and physical fitness in middle-aged and older people with type 2 DM in Taiwan. The study used purposive sampling. Forty-one voluntary subjects aged 40 years or over were recruited through community health screening in Keelung City, Taiwan. Moderate aerobic exercise intervention was undertaken three times per week (60 minutes per session, 55%-70% maximum heart rate) for 12 weeks. Blood indicators and physical fitness were examined before and after the exercise program. Blood indicators included fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein. Physical fitness included body mass index (BMI), and readings for body lipids, a sit-and-reach test, and a 12-minute walk. The data were analyzed by SPSS 10.0. All of the compared data were examined by paired t-test (p< .05). The results showed a significant improvement in all data except BMI after the 12-week aerobic exercise program intervention. Body weight, however, did decrease. The results might serve as useful guidance for community health professionals designing health promotion plans for middle-aged and older people in the community with type 2 DM. The study prompts the hope that blood indicators and physical fitness can be improved effectively through regular exercise, thereby promoting quality of life in type 2 DM patients.