2 Diabetes Participating in the Italian Diabetes and Exercise Study (IDES)

(IDES) INVESTIGATORS* OBJECTIVEdPhysical fitness is inversely related to mortality in the general population and in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Here, we present data concerning the relationship between changes in physical fitness andmodifiable cardiovascular risk factors in subjects with type 2 diabetes from the Italian Diabetes and Exercise Study. RESEARCHDESIGNANDMETHODSdSedentary patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 606) were enrolled in 22 outpatient diabetes clinics and randomized to twice-a-week supervised aerobic and resistance training plus exercise counseling versus counseling alone for 12 months. Baseline to end-of-study changes in cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, and flexibility, as assessed by VO2max estimation, a 5–8 maximal repetition test, and a hip/trunk flexibility test, respectively, were calculated in the whole cohort, and multiple regression analyses were applied to assess the relationship with cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTSdChanges in VO2max, upper and lower body strength, and flexibility were signifi-cantly associated with the variation in the volume of physical activity, HbA1c, BMI, waist cir