ABSTRACT
Objective: Exercise is considered to be an essential component of diabetes medical management. We assessed the effects of an eight-week period of exercise, three times per week, without a concomitant weight loss diet, on the biochemical variables and anthropometric indicators known to be risk factors for cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients. Methods: A group of 18 T2D patients (as DMex group) volunteered to participate in an eight-week progressive exercise training study, and twenty additional T2D patients who did not participate in the exercise program (as DMnoex group). Results: Biochemical variables and anthropometric indicators were measured before and after the exercise training period. Body weight (P=0.004), BMI (P=0.004), uric acid (UA) (P=0.001), hs-CRP (P=0.047), insulin (P=0.039), and HOMA-IR (P=0.039) were significantly decreased in the DMex group. The other biochemical variables showed no significant differences. Body weight (P=0.003), BMI (P=0.003), UA (P=0.001), insulin levels (P=0.005), and hs-CRP (P=0.042) had significantly greater changes in the DMex group than in the DMnoex group. Conclusion: An eight-week period of progressive exercise training program was associated with a significant decrease in cardiovascular risk factors in T2D patients.