The DiabetAction program: implementation in community-based settings

Developed for specialists who want to increase the physical activity (PA) level of type 2 diabetic and at-risk individuals, the 10-week DiabetAction program introduced participants to a wide variety of cardiovascular resistance, balance, and flexibility exercises. Thirty-three of 48 individuals completed the intervention in community-based settings, while 25 of 29 participants completed control group evaluations. A significant time effect (p < .05) was measured for leisure PA level, resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure, estimated aerobic capacity, and dynamic balance (nonsignificant group effect; p > .05). The physical functioning domain of quality of life improved in the experimental group, while the vitality domain improved in the control group (significant interactions; p < .05). Follow-ups of the experimental group revealed that they maintained postintervention parameters (leisure PA level, proportion of participants > or = 150 min of PA weekly, estimated aerobic capacity) or improved (mental component summary measure of quality of life). Ninety-four percent of the experimental group was "very" or "extremely" satisfied with the program, and participants perceived improvements in PA level, health, and tiredness postintervention. In conclusion, participants in community-based settings improved on many of the measured parameters and maintained PA practice up to 6 months postintervention. However, since control participants also saw improvements, further controlled studies will be needed.