Effects of daily mechanical horseback riding on insulin sensitivity and resting metabolism in middle-aged type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of daily passive exercise using a horseback riding machine (Joba) on insulin sensitivity and resting metabolism in middle-aged, diabetic patients. Participants were 24 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients aged 59 +/- 8 years (mean +/- SD; range from 43 to 75 years of age). Patients were randomly divided into control (normal lifestyle) and Joba exercise groups. The latter group was instructed to perform one 30-min session of Joba riding per day, 7 times per week, for 3 months. Compared with baseline values, serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI) concentrations decreased and HOMA-IR was improved by Joba training. In addition, exercise duration per day significantly correlated (r = -0.65) with changes in serum IRI, and 3-month mechanical horseback riding significantly increased the resting metabolic rate of the patients. These results suggest that daily Joba passive exercise is potentially useful as a means to improve insulin sensitivity and resting metabolism in diabetic patients. The Joba fitness equipment can prove especially useful as an alternative exercise therapy for aged individuals incapable of performing independent exercise or for those who suffer from knee-joint disorders.

Effects of exercise training on circulating high molecular weight adiponectin and adiponectin oligomer composition: a randomized controlled trial.

AIM: To determine the effects of exercise training on total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin and adiponectin oligomeric distribution. METHODS: A randomized parallel-design study (n=53; 40 women and 13 men; age range, 32?65 years) was conducted at a fitness club between April 2006 and July 2007. Participants were randomly assigned to the exercise (n=26) or control (n=27) group and received exercise training for 70 min 2 times per week for 12 weeks and exercise advice at the baseline, respectively. The primary outcomes were changes in total adiponectin, HMW adiponectin and percentage of HMW adiponectin. RESULTS: Muscle strength improved in the exercise group but remained stable in the control group. Body weight and BMI were not modified by exercise training. After 12 weeks, there were no differences between groups in total adiponectin levels, HMW adiponectin levels, or percentage of HMW adiponectin. CONCLUSION: In the absence of weight loss, twice-weekly exercise training does not change HMW adiponectin levels or the adiponectin oligomer composition.

Effects of a 4-week 70% high carbohydrate/15% low fat diet on glucose tolerance and on lipid profiles.

In order to investigate the effect of high carbohydrate/low fat diet on glucose tolerance and on lipid profiles, we performed a 4-week crossover study. Japanese subjects (30 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 15 subjects with impaired glucose tolerance and 8 subjects with normal glucose tolerance) were allocated either 55% standard carbohydrate/30% fat (sc) or 70% high carbohydrate/15% low fat (hc) diet for four weeks, and evaluated by OGTT and various parameters. Then, the diet was crossed over to another diet, and identical parameters were re-evaluated after four weeks. Area under the glucose concentration-time curve (AUG) or triglyceride did not show significant changes between the two diets. HDL-Cholesterol and body mass index decreased significantly by hc diet. Free fatty acids and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index showed a tendency to be decreased by hc diet. AUG hc/sc ratio was inversely correlated with AUG or free fatty acids on standard carbohydrate diet. In conclusion, the present 4-week high carbohydrate/low fat diet may be useful to reduce body weight and insulin resistance. The 4-week high carbohydrate/low fat diet did not affect glucose tolerance as a whole. Although the 4-week high carbohydrate/low fat diet decreased HDL-Chol, it did not increase triglyceride.