Increasing daily walking improves glucose tolerance in overweight women.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Physical activity (PA) has been shown to benefit glucose tolerance. Walking is a convenient low-impact mode of PA and is reported to be the most commonly performed activity for those with diabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a recommendation to accumulate 10,000 steps/day for 8 weeks was effective at improving glucose tolerance in overweight, inactive women.

METHODS:

Eighteen women (53.3 +/- 7.0 years old, 35.0 +/- 5.1 kg/m(2)) with a family history of type 2 diabetes completed a 4-week control period followed by an 8-week walking program with no changes in diet. The walking program provided a goal of accumulating at least 10,000 steps/day, monitored by a pedometer.

RESULTS:

During the control period, participants walked 4972 steps/day. During the intervention period, the participants increased their accumulated steps/day by 85% to 9213, which resulted in beneficial changes in 2-h postload glucose levels (P < 0.001), AUC(glucose) (P = 0.025), systolic blood pressure (P < 0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.002). There were no changes in body mass, body fat percentage, and waist circumference during the walking intervention.

CONCLUSIONS:

The 10,000 steps/day recommendation resulted in improved glucose tolerance and a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in overweight women at risk for type 2 diabetes. This demonstrates that activity can be accumulated throughout the day and does not have to result in weight loss to benefit this population.

• Authors: Ann M Swartz, Scott J Strath, David R Bassett, J Brian Moore, Beth A Redwine, Maureen Groër, Dixie L Thompson
• Journal: Preventive medicine (Prev Med) Vol. 37 Issue 4 Pg. 356-62 (Oct 2003) ISSN: 0091-7435 [Print] United States
• PMID: 14507493 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Diabetes Mellitus (blood, prevention & control)
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 (blood, prevention & control)
• Female
• Glucose Tolerance Test
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Obesity
• Walking