Effect of Moderate-Intensity Treadmill Exercise on Increased Adiponectin Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Introduction: Adiponectin plays a significant role in the metabolic system in proinflammatory cytokine inhibition and glucose uptake utilization. The treadmill is an aerobic walking device that stimulates natural walking features. Exercises increase adiponectin levels leading to improvement in insulin sensitivity. Objectives: To analyze the effect of aerobic exercise using a moderate-intensity treadmill with a gradual increase in speed and inclination on adiponectin levels in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Twenty-two participants with T2DM were randomized into treadmill exercise and control groups. The experimental group underwent 30-minute sessions of moderate-intensity treadmill exercise with increasing speed and gradual inclination three times a week for four weeks. The control group underwent individual exercise for 150 minutes per week. Participants were assessed for clinical and laboratory parameters before and after the four-week program. Results: There was a significant increase in the adiponectin level from 456.3 ± 42 pg/ml to 586.3 ± 87.8 pg/ml (p=0.04, p<0.05) in the treadmill exercise group. In the control group, adiponectin only increased from 466.7 ± 85 pg/ml to 471.8 ± 59 pg/ml (p=0.646). Conclusions: Moderate-intensity treadmill with increasing speed and gradual inclination was found to lead to a significantly better outcome in improving adiponectin levels than standard individual physical exercise in managing T2DM. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies – Investigation of the treatment results.