The effect of exercise conditioning, diet, and drug therapy on glycosylated hemoglobin levels in type 2 (NIDDM) diabetics.

The aim of this study was determine the effect of a 15-week individualized exercise conditioning program on glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc) levels on Type 2 diabetes. Thirty-nine participants were sedantary, Type 2 diabetics, on an oral hypo-glycemic drug and no specified diet regimen at study onset. Pre and post 15 weeks subjects underwent: maximal incremental exercise tests, blood analysis, body composition analysis. Twenty-one subjects were prescribed an individualized exercise program for 15 weeks. Significant differences were found in the exercise group after 15 weeks in: total body fat, trunk fat, peak oxygen consumption and MET values. Correlations existed in the exercise group between HbAlc, arm muscle area and leg lean mass. Sixty-two percent of this group showed a reduction in HbAlc values. For this group, dietary intakes of riboflavin and potassium maybe associated with HbAlc levels. Exercise in conjunction with oral drug therapy prescribed for the NIDDM individual did not directly modify HbAlc levels, but did result in favorable effects on blood lipid values, fitness levels, and body composition values.