Walking for exercise - immediate effect on blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the immediate effect of walking on blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

DESIGN

Participating patients walked for half an hour on one occasion and on another day they remained physically inactive for half an hour. Blood glucose was measured before and after walking and resting.

SETTING

Krokom in the north of Sweden.

PATIENTS

Thirty-nine persons with type 2 diabetes, aged 63 (SD 8.5).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Difference of blood glucose levels before and after walking and resting respectively.

RESULTS

Post-walk glycaemic levels were reduced by 2.2 mmol/l (SD 1.5). No significant reduction could be observed after a period of physical rest.

CONCLUSION

Walking can be safely employed in groups or individually as an introduction to low-intensity exercise and as a demonstration of its blood glucose lowering effect in type 2 diabetes.