Effect of 8 weeks Interval Aerobic Exercise Program on Lipid Profile of Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Abstract

Background: Lipid abnormalities are prevalent conditions in diabetic patients and predispose to atherogenic

cerebrovascular accidents thus necessitating development of rehabilitative intervention.

Objectives: To determine the effects of 8-weeks interval aerobic exercise on lipid profiles of type 2 diabetes

mellitus patients (T2 DM).

Subject and Method: All the subjects were allocated into groups using mixed sampling methods, and were

on prescribed oral hypoglycemics and diabetes exchange diet. In addition, the intervention group received

interval aerobic exercise intervention performed at sub-maximal intensity for 48minutes per session three

times per week for period of eight weeks. Hypothesis was tested using independent t-test, ANOVA and

ANCOVA and data analysed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21 and alpha set at 0.05.

Results: A total of 40 (20 male and 20 females) T2 DM patients, with mean age and body mass index of

56±8years and 26±4Kg/m2 respectively participated in the study. Over 87% of the participants had at least

one form of lipid abnormality. At baseline, both groups were comparable in all the variables except age

(P<0.05), triacylglycerol (P<0.05), and very low density lipoprotein (P<0.05). Post-treatment analysis

revealed significant differences in TG (P?0.05), and high density lipoprotein (P?0.05) between exerciser and

control group, following single (30minutes) exercise bout. At the end of 8weeks, no significant difference in

lipid profiles was recorded between exercisers and the control group (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Interval aerobic exercise does not optimize reduction in lipid profiles in T2DM patients with

fairly controlled blood sugar.