Increasing Physical Activity in People With Type 2 Diabetes

Increasing Physical Activity in People With Type 2 Diabetes Alison Kirk , BSC 1 , Nanette Mutrie , PHD 1 , Paul MacIntyre , MD 1 and Miles Fisher , MD 2 1 Center for Exercise Science and Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, U.K. 2 Diabetes Center, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland, U.K. Abstract OBJECTIVE —To evaluate effect of exercise consultation on physical activity and resultant physiological and biochemical variables at 6 months in people with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS —A total of 70 inactive people with type 2 diabetes were given standard exercise information and were randomized to receive an exercise consultation ( n = 35) or not ( n = 35). Exercise consultation, based on the transtheoretical model, combines motivational theory and cognitive behavioral strategies into an individualized intervention to promote physical activity. Changes from baseline to 6 months were assessed in 1 ) physical activity (7-day recall, accelerometer, cardiorespiratory fitness, stage, and processes of change), 2 ) physiological variables (blood pressure and BMI), and 3 ) biochemical variables (HbA 1c , lipid profile, and fibrinogen). RESULTS —Between-group differences were recorded for the change in minutes of moderate activity ( P < 0.001) and activity counts ( P < 0.001) per week. Experimental participants recorded an increase in activity counts per week and minutes of moderate activity per week ( P < 0.001). The control group recorded no significant changes. More experimental participants increased stage of change (χ 2 = 22.6, P < 0.001). Between-group differences were recorded for the change in total exercise duration and peak gradient ( P < 0.005), HbA 1c ( P = 0.02), systolic BP ( P = 0.02), and fibrinogen ( P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS —Exercise consultation increased physical activity and improved glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes. ACSM, American College of Sports Medicine BP, blood pressure CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HDL-C, HDL cholesterol LDL-C, LDL cholesterol Footnotes Address correspondence and reprint requests to Alison Kirk, Cardiology Department, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, Scotland, U.K. E-mail: allison.kirk{at}rah.scot.nhs.uk . Received for publication 25 October 2002 and accepted in revised form 2 January 2003. A table elsewhere in this issue shows conventional and Système International (SI) units and conversion factors for many substances. DI