The effect of 8 weeks aerobic exercise on insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes: a randomized clinical trial

Diabetes complications are the main reasons behind morbidity and mortality preventable by healthy diet and physical activity. There are few studies about the effect of aerobic exercises on insulin resistance in human. Also various training protocols are associated with different results. Since approaches to decrease insulin resistance may be followed by more effectiveness treatment, this study assessed the effect of aerobic exercise on insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this randomized clinical trial, 53 type 2 diabetic women were randomly divided into two groups as exercise (n=27) and control (n=26).The exercise protocol included warm-up by stretching and flexibility exercises for 10 m, followed by walking for 30 m with maximum intensity 60% increase in heart rate and then stretching in the seated position for 10 m, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Resistance to insulin was assessed using Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Significant differences have been observed in insulin resistance, fasting glucose and plasma insulin between the groups after 8 weeks. There were significant differences in waist and hip circumference, BMI, plasma insulin and insulin resistance within the groups over time. In addition, the changes in waist and hip circumference, FBS, plasma insulin and insulin resistance had significant interaction with the time between the groups. The current exercise protocol has been effective in lowering plasma glucose (p = 0.05), insulin levels (p = 0.000) and insulin resistance (p = 0.02). It seems that aerobic exercises training promote the effectiveness of medical treatment in type 2 diabetes mellitus.