Ten-Year Experience with an Exercise-Based Outpatient Life-Style Modification Program in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

Exercise is frequently recommended in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Nevertheless, its use has been limited in clinical practice, and concerns about safety and efficacy persist. We have reviewed a 10-yr experience with 255 patients enrolled in a comprehensive diabetes program that emphasized physical training. A low maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was found in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus compared with sedentary control subjects. This was not accounted for by autonomic neuropathy and is unlikely to be due to subtle differences in life-style. Exercise-related proteinuria was common and occurred in 29% of patients and was associated with higher blood pressure levels at rest and during exercise, impaired VO2max, and decreased R-R interval variation. Regular exercise was associated with a modest decrease in resting and exercise blood pressure. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels and plasma triglycerides improved only in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Insulin requirements were significantly reduced in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Compliance for up to 3 mo in the program was acceptable but longer-term compliance was poor. Serious complications during the program were rare. Our experience suggests a program of regular aerobic training can be safely and effectively used in an outpatient population with diabetes mellitus for up to 3 mo.