EFFECTS OF BRISK WALKING ON FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE AND BLOOD PRESSURE OF PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES LIVING WITH HYPERTENSION

B. Opoku¹, C.R. de-Beer Brandon², J. Quartey¹, N. Mshunqane²

¹University of Ghana, Physiotherapy, Korle Bu, Accra, Ghana, ²University of Pretoria, Physiotherapy, Pretoria, South Africa

Background: Aerobic exercises have been administered as an adjunct treatment for many health conditions, however the effects of brisk walking on type 2 diabetes patients living with hypertension in Ghana is yet to be explored.

Purpose: To determine the effects of brisk walking on fasting blood glucose and blood pressure of patients with type 2 diabetes living with hypertension in Ghana.

Methods: A single arm randomised clinical trial was used. Males and females above 18 years were included. Fasting blood glucose samples, anthropometric measurements and distance walked were measured at baseline and after eight weeks of brisk walking. Blood pressure was recorded on the day of exercise, before and after exercise. The intervention consisted of brisk walking three times a week. Time was increased from 12 to 15 minutes in the fifth and sixth weeks, then from 15 to 20 minutes in the seventh and eighth weeks respectively.

Results: Sixty participants completed the intervention. There was a statistically significant reduction of fasting blood glucose and blood pressure levels with a decreased rate of perceived exertion between baseline and post intervention.

Conclusions: Brisk walking reduced the levels of fasting blood glucose and blood pressure in patients with Type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Implications: This study will enlighten healthcare professionals about the use of brisk walking as an adjunct treatment to control blood glucose and blood pressure levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Funding acknowledgements: This study was fully funded by the primary researcher

Keywords:
Brisk walking
Type 2 Diabetes
Hypertension

Topics:
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) & risk factors
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Primary health care

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: University of Pretoria

Committee: Faculty of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee

Ethics number: 779/2019