Underwater Treadmill Training, Glycemic Control, and Health-Related Fitness in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

The purpose of this study was to document the influence of underwater treadmill training (UTT) on glycemic control and health-related fitness in middle-aged adults with type 2 diabetes.Pre-and posttraining measurements of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass (BM), percent body fat (%BF), waist circumference (WC), resting heart rate (RHR), estimated aerobic capacity (VO 2max ), and concentric peak quadriceps and hamstrings torque were obtained on 7 adults (mean age = 55.3 ± 7.7 years) who participated in 8 weeks (3d•wk-1) of UTT.Walking speed was initially set at a relative intensity of 40-50% of heart rate reserve (HRR) and gradually raised to 50-70% HRR by week 8. Walking duration of each session was increased from 30 to 60 minutes during the study.Following UTT, reductions (p < .05)occurred in HbA1c, BM, %BF, and WC.In addition, RHR was lower, estimated VO 2max was higher, and peak hamstrings torque at 30°•sec-1, 60°•sec-1, and 90°•sec-1 and peak quadriceps torque at 30°•sec-1 and 60°•sec-1 were greater after UTT.Our preliminary findings suggest that UTT is a safe and effective modality in controlling blood glucose levels and improving body composition, cardiorespiratory function, and leg strength in middle-aged adults with type 2 diabetes.