Motives and Barriers to Exercise Training during Hospitalization in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional
Stig Molsted1,2, Lasse Kusk1, Søren Mingon Esbensen1
1Department of Clinical Research, Nordsjællands Hospital, 3400 Hillerød, Denmark.
Background:
Exercise training during hospitalization may prevent loss of physical function and hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess motives and barriers to exercise training in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes.
Methods:
Data were collected using a questionnaire about motives and barriers to exercise training during hospitalization. Additional data for clinical characteristics of the participants were collected from patient records.
Results:
79 patients participated (mean ± SD age 72 ± 12 years; 42% women), of whom 25% had a low level of education and 46% lived alone. The median (IQR) length of the stay was 6 (4-10) days. A total of 67% of the participants wished to be more physically active. Walking as exercise was preferred by 51%. The most frequently reported barriers to exercise training were bodily pain (48%) and dizziness (42%). Low vs. high level of education, and living alone vs. being married/living with a partner were associated with reduced odds of a wish to be more physically active, odds ratio (OR) 0.15 [95% CI 0.03; 0.76], p = 0.022, and 0.21 [0.05; 0.82], p = 0.025, respectively.
Conclusion:
Two out of three hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes wished to be more physically active during admission. Bodily pain was a barrier to exercise training and needs attention in training programs. As a low level of education was associated with reduced odds of a wish to be more active, a strategy to include all patients in training programs which considers social inequality is needed.
Related Concept Videos
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in...
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational


