Association between executive function, physical activity, and physical fitness in people with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

To investigate the association between executive function, physical activity, and physical fitness in people with type 2 diabetes, twenty participants (51-73 years, 50% female) with type 2 diabetes (mean HbA1C 7.9%) completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function - Adult (BRIEF-A), the Diabetes Task of Executive Function (DTEF), the 7-day Physical Activity Recall (PAR), the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI), and the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were calculated, and percent body fat (BF%) and blood pressure (BP) measurements were obtained. Data were analyzed (SPSS 16.0) using Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regression. BRIEF-A working memory scores were significantly correlated with meters walked in six minutes (r= -0.49; p=0.03), but were not predictive of MET-hours per week, kilocalories per week, meters walked in six minutes, or estimated VO2peak. Significant correlation was found between DTEF blood glucose log scores, MET-hours per week (r=0.54; p=0.02), and kilocalories per week (r=.54; p=0.01), but DTEF blood glucose log scores did not predict MET-hours per week, kilocalories per week, meters walked in six minutes or estimated VO2peak. DTEF planning scores predicted meters walked in six minutes (b=.404; p=.007), as did DTEF total scores (b=.364; p=.034). Results demonstrated that intra-individual variations in working memory, planning, multitasking, and time management abilities are associated with weekly physical activity and physical fitness in people with type 2 diabetes.