Effect of Upper Versus Lower Limbs Resisted Exercise on Nitric Oxide Levels in Diabetic Patients; Type 2

Abstract

Background: There were 8.2 million cases of diabetes in Egypt in 2017 with prevalence in adults about 15.1%. As the number of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes continues to increase it has become imperative that health care providers understand the importance that exercise plays in the treatment of this disease and preventing its complications including nephropathy, retinopathy and cardiovascular disease. Objective: this study aimed to investigate the effect of upper resisted exercise versus lower resisted exercise on glycosylated hemoglobin and nitric oxide (NO) in diabetic patients type 2. Methods: this study included 60 diabetic patients who were selected from the outpatient clinic of Internal Medicine Department in Agouza Police Hospital from July 2018 to December 2018. They were assigned into two groups equal in number. Group (A) received a program of upper limbs resisted exercise and Group (B) received a program of lower limbs resisted exercise for 3 months. Results: The results of this study revealed a significant increase in six-minute walk test and nitric oxide and a significant decrease in glycated hemoglobin in both groups. Group (A) is superior to Group (B) in modulating glycated hemoglobin and nitric oxide levels. Group (B) is superior than Group (A) in increasing six-minute walk test. Conclusion: upper limbs resisted exercise is beneficial than lower limbs resisted exercise in modulating glycated hemoglobin and nitric oxide in type 2 diabetic patients. Lower limbs resisted exercise is beneficial than upper limbs resisted exercise in improving six-minute walk test.