Exercise Intensity, Glycemic Control and Abdominal Fat in People With Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study
Exercise Intensity, Glycemic Control and Abdominal Fat in People With Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study
Body fat is an important risk factors for type 2 diabetes. However, not all body fat is the
 same. Research suggests that fat stored in the abdomen is most harmful. This is known as
 intra-abdominal fat. The objective of the proposed study is to understand the effect of
 exercise intensity on intra-abdominal fat and glucose control. Twenty participants with type
 2 diabetes will be assigned to traditional or high intensity exercise. The exercise
 interventions will last a total of 14 weeks. Those in the traditional intensity group will
 exercise at an intensity comparable to walking. The high intensity group will alternate
 between 1 minute at high intensity and 3 minutes at low intensity. Both exercise groups will
 burn a similar amount of Calories and will exercise for the same amount of time. The exercise
 duration will start at 30 minutes per day. By the end of the study, it will be 60 minutes per
 day. All exercise sessions will be supervised. Body fat distribution will be estimated by a
 scanning machine called a DXA and anthropometric measures. Glycemic control will be measured
 from a blood sample. This study may not be of sufficient size to detect meaningful changes in
 these variables. However, it will provide information in regards to the preliminary efficacy,
 resource requirements and feasibility. Feasibility will include: recruitment, retention and
 adherence. Such information is essential for planning a more definitive trial. The
 identification of exercises that target greater reductions in abdominal fat will have
 important implications for the health of people with diabetes.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Men and women with type 2 diabetes.

 -  From 55-75 years of age (Women post-menopausal for at least 5 years).

 -  Sedentary: < 3 bouts of planed physical activity of >30 min per week.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Smoking (defined as more than one cigarette per day).

 -  Inability to speak and read English.

 -  Diseases known to affect body fat distribution (e.g., polycystic ovary syndrome,
 Cushing's syndrome, HIV-AIDS or lipodystrophies).

 -  Taking medications that may affect body fat distribution (e.g., Thiazolidinedione,
 Insulin, Growth Hormone).

 -  Limitations to regular exercise training (e.g., musculoskeletal limitations, heart
 disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

 -  Answering "yes" to any of the questions on the physical activity readiness
 questionnaire (PAR-Q).

 -  Having undergone major changes in physical activity, diet or medication in the
 previous 6 months (or be planning such changes in the next 4 months). Changes in
 physical activity will be considered as an increase or decrease of more than 1 hour
 per week. A change in body weight greater 3 kg will also lead to exclusion.

 -  Body weight > 300 lbs (maximum weight for Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA)
 table).

 -  HbA1c > 0.09%

 -  blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg.

 -  LDL cholesterol above 3.5 mmol/L or TC:HDL-C above 5.0.

 -  Self-reported alcohol or substance abuse within the past twelve months, current
 consumption of more than 14 alcoholic drinks per week, and/or current acute treatment
 or rehabilitation program for these problems.

 -  Other medical or psychiatric factors that in the judgment of the principal
 investigators may interfere with study participation or the ability to follow the
 study protocol.