Cardiovascular disease markers in type 2 diabetes: the effects of a moderate home-based exercise training programme

Patients with T2DM have an increased risk of CVD. Prevention of CVD represents the major goal of all treatment of T2DM, and early intervention in those patients at particularly high risk is important. We measured the insulin sensitivity and plasma biomarkers of CVD to determine whether a home-based exercise training program improves biomarker levels and insulin sensitivity. Patients with T2DM (n=12), IGT (n=4) and healthy control subjects (n=9) were studied before and after eight weeks of exercise training by rowing ergometry at 65-70% of peak oxygen uptake. Conclusions: 1) patients with T2DM have elevated plasma concentrations of CVD biomarkers compared to the matched control and IGT groups; 2) a moderate to vigorous intensity home-based training program did not reduce plasma concentrations of these CVD markers; 3) insulin sensitivity improved as a result of exercise training in the control group, but not in the T2DM group.