Aerobic exercise controls BP and blood sugar in elderly with diabetes: Study

Kuala Lumpur: Aerobic exercise has proven to be beneficial for improving blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. A recent study has shown the potential of 16 weeks of home-based progressive resistance training (PRT) using a resistance tube in improving blood sugar control and reducing systolic blood pressure in older adults with type 2 diabetes. The study is published in the journal Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine.

Diabetes is a lifestyle disease which is increasing every year and has attained epidemic proportions in many countries including India. Apart from the pharmacological approach, other diabetic care measures including practicing healthy dietary habits and exercises are beneficial to blood sugar control as well and are considered as the basic parts of the treatment of T2DM patients . 

Previous studies have shown the role of aerobic exercise in improving glucose homeostasis among T2D patients. Elastic resistance (band or tube) owing to its low cost, simplicity, portability, and versatility, is suggested as a good alternative for home-based strength training in older adults including those with diabetes.

Considering the above, Theng Choon Ooi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and colleagues aimed to measure the effects of 16-week home-based progressive resistance training, using a resistance tube on glucose homeostasis and cardiovascular risk factors among older adults with T2D in a quasi-experimental trial.

The study included a total of 70 participants aged 61.68 years with T2D. They were assigned to receive the intervention (n = 35) and control (n = 35). The intervention group underwent 16 weeks of home-based PRT using a resistance tube. 

Our findinsg suggest that 16 weeks of home-based progressive resistance training (PRT) using a resistance tube has the potential to improve glycemic control and reduce systolic blood pressure among older adults with T2DM and caused no adverse events, the authors concluded. 

Reference:

The study titled, "A 16-Week Home-Based Progressive Resistance Tube Training Among Older Adults With Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus: Effect on Glycemic Control," is published in the journal Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine.

DOI: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23337214211038789