Effect of Cycling on Glycaemia, Blood Pressure, and Weight in Young Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes.

INTRODUCTION

Aerobic exercise is associated with significant improvement in glycaemia and weight loss in Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Cycling, a form of aerobic exercise can benefit young (18 to <40 years) individuals with T2D.

AIM

To assess effect of cycling on glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure (BP) and weight over six months in young individuals with T2D.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective, observational study, young (18 to <40 years) T2D patients who were being treated without insulin and not on more than two Oral Antidiabetic Drugs (OADs) were identified from a group of cyclists in a metro city from Northern India. These individuals were involved in a regular exercise program (cycling 25 km/day for at least five days a week). Participants with consecutive six months of cycling were selected and those involved in other forms of exercise were excluded. From their medical records, participants' weight, BP, and HbA1c levels were noted at baseline (i.e., before the start) and post-six months of cycling program and evaluated with appropriate statistics.

RESULTS

From 26 cases identified with T2D, 20 participants were included in analysis. Mean age of participants was 35.6±2.6 years, five were <35 years and all of them were males. Cycling resulted in significant reduction in HbA1c% (mean change from baseline at six-month: -1.18, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.12, 1.24; p<0.001). Besides, systolic (-5.2, 95% CI -3.7, -6.6; p<0.001) and diastolic (-3.1, 95% CI -1.7, -4.5; p<0.001) BP and weight (kg) (-5.0, 95% CI -4.41, -5.58; p<0.001) showed significant reduction from baseline to six-months. Among two age groups (Age < 35 and ≥ 35 years), except for reduction of diastolic BP in age < 35 years, significant reduction in all other parameters was evident in both age groups.

CONCLUSION

Regular aerobic exercise in cycling form results in significant reduction in HbA1c, BP and weight. It should be promoted as an ideal method for exercise in young T2D cases to derive maximum benefits and to improve adherence to lifestyle intervention.