Impact of Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity on Systemic Vascular Resistance in Recently Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To investigate if moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was negatively associated with high systemic vascular resistance (SVR) among adults with Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM). Additionally, we assessed associations between other cardiometabolic risk factors and SVR. Design and method: We estimated cross-sectional associations between MVPA and SVR and other selected risk factors and SVR using logistic multivariate regression models. SVR was assessed using thoracic electrical bioimpedance; high SVR was defined as 20% above normal. MVPA was calculated using accelerometer data. Insulin resistance was assessed using the Homeostasis Model Assessment 2-Insulin Resistance (HOMA2-IR). Results from adjusted analyses controlled for age, sex, MAP, BMI, HOMA2-IR, medication, and smoking are reported Results: The study population consisted of 824 adults (mean age = 61.6 years) with recently diagnosed T2DM (mean diabetes duration = 3.6 years). 41% were females. Median MVPA was 10.7 minutes/day, and 50.5% had high SVR. Increments of 14.4 min/day in MVPA were independently associated with a lower risk of high SVR (OR=0.69, [0.57;0.83]). Other main determinants of high SVR were female sex (OR=2.06, [1.49;2.86]), BMI and HOMA2-IR in increments of 6.16 kg/m2(OR=2.20, [1.76;2.73]) and 1.79(OR=2.33, [1.09;4.96]), respectively. BMI had a notably greater impact on explained variability of SVR than MVPA when comparing the coefficient of determination (pseudo-R2, 35.0% vs. 7.9%). Conclusions: Increased levels of MVPA are associated with a reduced risk of high SVR, although BMI appears to have a more pronounced effect on SVR. MVPA could serve a dual purpose in managing both SVR and promoting weight loss in T2DM.