[Effect of physical exertion on the adrenal gland function and cardiovascular system in diabetes mellitus]

The response of the adrenal glands and the cardiovascular system to dosaged cycloergometric exercises was studied in 35 young patients with diabetes, depending on the state of carbohydrate metabolism, in comparison with control healthy individuals. In diabetic patients physical load proved to induce an insignificant activation of the adrenal glucocorticoid function with a marked response of the sympathicoadrenal system. Physical exercises permitted to detect reduction of myocardial reserves and disturbance of vascular reactivity in the majority of diabetic patients. The detected changes in the adrenal gland response could serve as one of the causes of inadequate response of the cardiovascular system to physical load, and of reduced tolerance to it in diabetic patients.