Effects of exercise on glycemic control and indices of obesity in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 : a systematic review

89 p.Background: For decades, exercise has been widely perceived to improve glycemic control and manage obesity for patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2). However, many studies on the effects of exercise in patients with DMT2 involve small sample sizes and had conflicting results. Objective: To systematically review (1) the effect of exercise on glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and indices of obesity in patients with DMT2; and (2) the safety and feasibility of exercise intervention for patients with DMT2. Data Sources: A systematic review of English articles using PubMed (1986-2015) and SPORTDiscus (1984-2015). Reference lists of review articles were also searched for additional studies. Study Selection: Randomized controlled trials that provided an exercise intervention (duration ≥ 8 weeks) to type 2 diabetic patients and evaluated HbA1c as an outcome for glycemic control were included. Studies that included co-interventions were excluded. Data Extraction: A data extraction sheet was developed and predefined data fields, including study quality indicators, were extracted. Results and data synthesis: Twenty-four studies (n = 1477) were included. Studies in this review demonstrated that aerobic, resistance, and combined exercises were each associated with a reduction in HbA1C compared with the control. Magnitude of reduction is similar across the three modes of exercises. Exercise interventions were also associated with fat loss compared with the control. Few serious adverse events in the exercise group were reported. Conclusions: All forms of exercise interventions are safe and feasible for patients with DMT2 and are associated with improvement in glycemic control and obesity management.Bachelor of Science (Sport Science and Management