Exercise and Type 2 Diabetes.

The epidemic of diabetes mellitus has already become a serious global health threat. In the past three decades, the number of people with diabetes mellitus has quadrupled globally, and diabetes mellitus is known as the ninth major cause of death in the world nowadays. The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is in coincidence with the augmentation of obesity in most developed countries as well as in developing countries. A sedentary lifestyle is well-known as one of the major reasons for the rising epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus besides the other reasons such as adopting energy-dense diets relative to the actual need for energy and population aging. Exercise as a regular physical activity at a medium to vigorous intensity is found to be an efficient influencer that would switch back most of the known type 2 diabetes mellitus factors toward healthier positions. Exercise is proven to have clinical benefits, such as improved insulin sensitivity, reductions in glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) and increased peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) which are definitely preventive toward diabetes. Exercise training can favorably affect glycemic parameters, the lipid profile, blood pressure, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Exercise improves blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes, reduces cardiovascular risk factors, and regulates body weight by reducing body fat percentage and enhancing lean mass. In this chapter, the effect of regular exercise on the prevention of diabetes and short-term glucose and energy metabolism will be discussed. In addition, the effect of exercise on most common complications of type 2 diabetes including cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidemia, nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy will be reviewed.

Effects of Exercise on the Immune Function, Quality of Life, and Mental Health in HIV/AIDS Individuals.

Physical exercise is a common type of planned physical activity in order to enhance or maintain a person's physical fitness. Physical exercise may act as an effective strategy to take control of certain conditions associated with HIV-1 infection. HIV infection and its related treatments not only affect the immune system but also cause several musculoskeletal disorders including pre-sarcopenia or sarcopenia, myalgia, and low bone mineral density. Moderate- to high-intensity aerobic exercise, progressive resistance exercise, or a combination of both is considered as a complementary part of medical care and treatment of HIV-infected individuals. In the present chapter, the results of recent investigations regarding the effects of physical activity on muscle strength and function, mental health, and immune system of HIV infected individuals will be discussed.