Diabetes exercise project

Background: Exercise can play a major role in improving diabetic control an d prevention of complications. In order to encourage overweight people with poorly controlled diabetes to take more exercise a group exercise programm e was set up. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of the diabetes exercise project 20 months after professional contact and funding had ceased. The project ra n from October 1994 to March 1996 and the evaluation was carried out in Nov ember 1997. Method: Evaluation was carried out through a postal questionnaire, focus gr oup discussions and clinical data collection on a sample of those referred on to the project. The project set out to find: (1) the number of the origi nal group who took up the exercise programme and were still exercising on a regular basis: (2) the clinical outcomes in terms of changes in body mass index (BMI), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1) and diabetes medication from t he start of the exercise project to the evaluation; (3) the self-reported b enefits to those with diabetes on the exercise programme, including any sel f-reported effect regular exercise has had on their diabetes control at the time of the evaluation; (4) the factors associated with their ability to c arry on exercising. Results: Clinical outcomes showed no significant changes in those who conti nued to exercise and those who stopped. However, there was a statistically significant increase (P = 0.01) in the proportion of those with non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM) who were treated with insulin, from 30% to 53%. Of the 42 who had replied to the questionnaire, 71% continued to exercise for more than 6 months and, of these, 52% continued to exercise for over 20 months. Self-reported benefits of exercise included 'increased energy leve ls', a greater ability to concentrate and enjoy exercise, increased motivat ion and more positive mood and feelings. Improvement in diabetic control wa s reported by 25 (60%). Further benefits reported included a stabilizing of their diabetes, loss of weight and a more positive attitude towards their health. Conclusions: It is possible to motivate overweight, poorly controlled peopl e with diabetes to exercise on a regular basis. To do so successfully, cons ideration needs to be given to having the right personnel involved in the e xercise programmes, support from the health professionals and suitable faci lities and instruction. Injury and lack of time were given as the main barr iers to exercise.