Effects of 60-minute brisk walking on metabolic and psychosocial health in patients with type 2 diabetes

Introduction and Objective: type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major global public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as indonesia. although physical activity is widely promoted, there is limited evidence on the immediate effects of a single session of brisk walking. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 60-minute brisk walking intervention on nitric oxide levels, blood glucose, body mass index, quality of life, and mental health in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Methodology: a randomized controlled trial with a parallel-group design was conducted involving seventy-two participants with type 2 diabetes, divided into brisk walking and regular walking groups. the intervention lasted twelve weeks, with participants walking five days per week. standardized biochemical, anthropometric, and psychometric tools were used to assess outcomes before and after the intervention. Results: the results revealed significant increases in nitric oxide levels and reductions in blood glucose, body mass index, quality of life scores, and diabetes-related emotional distress in the brisk walking group. the most notable improvements were observed in obese participants.these findings align with previous studies showing that moderate-intensity exercise improves endothelial function and glycemic control. they also offer new insights into the role of nitric oxide as a physiological mediator in physical activity interventions. Conclusions: it is concluded that brisk walking is an effective, accessible, and low-risk strategy to enhance metabolic and psychosocial health in individuals with type 2 diabetes.