Physical exercise for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes

doi:10.1016/j.diabet.2010.06.001

Diabetes & Metabolism

Volume 36, Issue 5, November 2010, Pages 346-351

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabet.2010.06.001 Get rights and content

Abstract

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is rapidly increasing worldwide, yet its primary prevention and treatment are still a challenge. The objectives of this review are to assess the effects of exercise on the prevention of type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals and on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetic patients. Considering the available reports, there is unequivocal and strong evidence that physical exercise can prevent or delay progression to type 2 diabetes in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. Also, lifestyle interventions, including diet and physical exercise, can result in a reduction of around 50% in diabetes incidence that persists even after the individual lifestyle counselling has stopped. In addition, short-term randomized studies have confirmed that physical training based on endurance and/or resistance exercises can also improve blood glucose control in type 2 diabetics with a mean glycated haemoglobin decrease of 0.6%. Thus, physical exercise should be part of any therapeutic strategy to slow the development of type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals and to improve glucose control in type 2 diabetes.

Résumé

La prévalence du diabète ne cesse d’augmenter dans le monde. La prévention et le traitement de cette maladie demeurent un défi. Les objectifs de cette revue sont d’évaluer les effets de la pratique d’une activité physique, d’une part, sur l’incidence du diabète chez des sujets à risque (intolérants au glucose) et, d’autre part, sur l’équilibre glycémique des diabétiques de type 2. Au vu des données disponibles, il existe des arguments forts pour dire que l’activité physique prévient ou retarde l’apparition du diabète. Les modifications du mode de vie incluant l’alimentation et l’activité physique permettent une réduction de 50 % de l’incidence du diabète et cet effet persiste même après l’arrêt de l’intervention. L’exercice physique améliore l’équilibre glycémique des sujets diabétiques de type 2 avec une réduction de l’HbA_1c de 0,6 % en moyenne. Les activités d’endurance et de résistance doivent être toutes deux encouragées chez les sujets diabétiques de type 2.

Introduction

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is rapidly increasing worldwide, and the risk of complications begins as early as in the prediabetic phase [1]. Type 2 diabetes is an expensive disease, representing 10–15% of the total health costs in the developed countries [2]. This means that the primary prevention of type 2 diabetes and its early treatment are necessary to avoid the later complications of type 2 diabetes and their related costs. Exercise, in addition to diet modification and medication, has been recommended as one of the three main components of diabetic therapy [3]. The present review aims to assess the effects of exercise in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Section snippets

Exercise and the prevention of type 2 diabetes

Both genetic and environmental backgrounds are involved in the development of type 2 diabetes [4]. Although genetic factors are important in the development of type 2 diabetes, it is not possible to modify them to prevent the disease. In the US, the Nurses’ Health Study prospectively examined the separate and combined associations of obesity and physical activity with the development of type 2 diabetes in 68,907 female nurses who had no history of diabetes [5]. Obesity and physical inactivity

Main effects of exercise

Exercise, in addition to diet modification and medication, has been recommended as one of the three main components of diabetic therapy [3]. In spite of its recommendation, the effects of exercise in type 2 diabetics are not well documented, and there have been no large-scale studies with adequate statistical power to determine the effects of exercise on blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes. However, a meta-analysis was conducted on behalf of the Cochrane Collaboration [16] to assess the

Conclusion

Physical exercise is an efficient tool for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes and should, therefore, be part of any therapeutic strategies for such patients. In those at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, lifestyle interventions, including diet and physical exercise, results in a 50% reduction in diabetes incidence that persists for several years after the supervised lifestyle intervention has stopped. Because of the growing prevalence of high-risk patients worldwide and the

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have not declared any conflicts of interest.

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Citation Excerpt :
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View full text

ReviewPhysical exercise for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetesExercice physique, prévention et traitement du diabète de type 2

Abstract

Résumé

Introduction

Section snippets

Exercise and the prevention of type 2 diabetes

Main effects of exercise

Conclusion

Conflict of interest statement

Diab Res Clin Pract

Lancet

Lancet

Lancet

Global prevalence of diabetes: estimates for the year 2000 and projections for 2030

Diabetes Care

Assessing the impact of complications on the costs of Type II diabetes

Diabetologia

Management of hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a consensus algorithm for the initiation and adjustment of therapy. Update regarding the thiazolidinediones

Diabetologia

Preventing non-insulin-dependent diabetes

Diabetes

Adiposity compared with physical inactivity and risk of type 2 diabetes in women

Diabetes Care

Effects of traditional and western environments on prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Pima Indians in Mexico and the US

Diabetes Care

Review
Physical exercise for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetesExercice physique, prévention et traitement du diabète de type 2