Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Fasting Blood Glucose and Blood Pressure Levels of Diabetic-Hypertensive Clients at a Diabetes Clinicin Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Hypertension and diabetes are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Effective interventions are therefore relevant in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension and diabetes. We set out to determine the effect of aerobic exercise on type-2 diabetic-hypertensive clients at a diabetes clinic in Accra.Method: Twenty-one participants were recruited from the National Diabetes Management and Research Center in Korle-Bu in Accra.Participants undertook 30 minutes of aerobic exercise comprising, warm up, ergonomic cycling and cool down, three times a week for a period of eight weeks. Fasting blood glucose and blood pressure levels were measured and changes with respect to exercise were analysed. The mixed model ANOVA was used to test for the differences in the weekly blood pressure and blood glucose levels while the paired t-test was used to compare the baseline and final readings of blood pressure and blood glucose levels. Pearson’s correlation test was used to determine the relationship between age and change in blood pressure and blood glucose levels after eight weeks of exercise.Results: Mean systolic blood pressure reduced from 142mmHg to 135mmHg while the mean diastolic blood pressure also reduced from 89mmHg to 84mmHg post exercises. The baseline and eighth week post exercise average blood glucose level were 8.0 mmol/L and 5.2 mmol/L respectively. There were significant differences in baseline and week eight systolic (p = 0.0017), and diastolic (p = 0.006) blood pressure as well as blood glucose (p=0.0027) levels. There was also a significant positive correlation between age and change in blood glucose level (p = 0.036).Conclusion: Aerobic exercise reduces the fasting blood glucose level and blood pressure in type-2 diabetic-hypertensives. Diabetic-hypertensives should therefore be encouraged to participate in aerobic exercises.