Benefits of Behavior: Exercise Enhances Perception of Physical Function Independent of Improvement Among Diabetic Patients

Document Type

Conference Presentation

Department

Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences Department

Conference Title

American College of Sports Medicine - Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise conference

Organization

American College of Sports Medicine

Location

Orlando, FL

Date of Presentation

5-29-2019

Journal Publication

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

ISSN

0195-9131

DOI

10.1249/01.mss.0000561175.61015.1a

Volume

51

Issue

6S

First Page

222

Abstract

In the U.S., approximately 1.5 million new cases of diabetes arise each year. Although these patients commonly report lower quality of life (QOL) than those without chronic illness, much of the literature remains focused on the physical benefits of weight loss and blood glucose management. To deliver individualized care, practitioners must also evaluate psychological health, including patient perceptions. PURPOSE: To determine factors that affect perception of physical function in diabetic patients. METHODS: 38 men and women with diabetes completed a 10-week, 20-session exercise program that included both aerobic and resistance training components. At baseline and follow-up, we measured body fat percent (BF%), body mass index (BMI), and performance on six standard functional tests. Subjects also completed a self-report QOL questionnaire in which perception of physical function was assessed. Linear regressions tested the effect of functional performance (baseline capacity and 10-week change) on perception of function. RESULTS: Patients were 67.9±9.1 years of age, mean BMI was 31.5±6.1, and self-reported physical functioning ranged from 5.0 (very poor) to 100.0 (optimal); mean score was 54.7±26.8. At baseline, perception of physical functioning was not related to sex (p=0.751), age (p=0.405), BMI (p=0.610), or BF% (p=0.864). It was related to improved performances in six-minute walk (p<0.001), functional reach (p=0.046), timed up-and-go (p=0.080), chair stand (p=0.006), and sit-and-reach (p=0.024). At follow-up, perceptions of functioning improved by 13.8±24.5 points (25.7%; p=0.002) but there was no association with improvement in any anthropometric or functional tests: BMI (p=0.457), BF% (p=0.526), six-minute walk (p=0.131), functional reach (p=0.293), timed up-and-go (p=0.226), arm curl (p=0.966), chair stand (p=0.592), and sit-and-reach (p=0.970). CONCLUSION: 10 weeks of exercise improved perception of physical function by more than 25% in patients with diabetes. Improvement was unrelated to enhancement of any anthropometric or performance domain. Patients with diabetes seem to improve their perceptions via participation rather than progress. Thus, it may be important to incorporate the behavior of exercise into treatments, even if it fails to elicit physical improvement.

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