Acute effect of fast walking on postprandial blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes

Several guidelines have recently recommended exercise for prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, determining the optimum exercise conditions, e.g., the intensity, amount, frequency, and type of exercise, is difficult, particularly by patients themselves. We have investigated the acute effect of fast walking on postprandial blood glucose levels among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Fourteen patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at least 1 year previously were eligible for inclusion in this study during educational hospitalization. Three walking programs, natural walking (walking at a natural speed), 10 % fast walking, and 20 % fast walking, were performed 1 h after lunch in a randomized sequence with a washout period of 1 day. Walking time was 30 min in all the programs. Primary outcome was determined by self-monitoring of blood glucose. Blood glucose levels were measured before walking, after walking for 15 min, and at the end of walking. Heart rate and systolic and diastolic pressure were also measured for safety reasons.

All the participants completed the study with no adverse effects. Compared with natural walking, fast walking markedly improved postprandial glucose excursion in an intensity-dependent manner without any adverse effects.

Fast walking acutely reduced postprandial blood glucose levels among patients with type 2 diabetes. Our method has major implications for the practice of diabetes education in clinical rehabilitation.