The effect of physical activities of various intensities on the energy expenditure of type 2 diabetic men

Interventions that focus on changing lifestyles through the combined use of dietary management, weight reduction, and increased physical activity are essential for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The objective of the present study was to examine mildly obese T2DM patients [n=10; mean age (+/-SD), 51.29+/-6.80 years; body mass index (BMI), 30.26+/-6.19 kg/m(2); and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)), 8.16+/-1.16%)] and to compare them with normoglycaemic persons (n=10; age, 53.00+/-9.48 years; BMI, 27.63+/-3.33 kg/m(2), and HbA(1c), 5.85+/-0.56%) in terms of energy expenditure while performing physical activities of various intensities (i.e. light, moderate, and heavy). The resting metabolic rate for T2DM patients was significantly higher than that for healthy controls (2,200+/-354 kcal/day vs. 1,628+/-176 kcal/day, respectively; p<0.0001). The values of energy expenditure at all three levels of physical activity were comparable between the two groups. Physical activity seems to have various beneficial effects on mildly obese T2DM patients because it increases the plasma glucose consumption, resulting in similar energy expenditure in comparison with normoglycaemic individuals.