Effects of aerobic exercise on functional capacity, anthropometric measurements and inflammatory markers in diabetic elderly women

SummaryThis study investigated the effects of an aerobic training program on functional capacity [Timed Up and Go test (TUG), timed 10-m walk test (10MWT), five-repetition sit-to-stand test (5-STS), handgrip strength test (HGS) and one-legged stance test (OLS)], anthropometric measurements [body mass, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences and waist-to-hip ratio] and plasma levels of inflammatory markers [soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors 1 and 2, and interleukins 6 and 10] in 43 elderly women with type 2 diabetes mellitus. After the training, a significant improvement was observed in the performance of the participants on the TUG, 10MWT, 5-STS and HGS and in the anthropometric measures of body mass, BMI and hip circumference. None of the inflammatory markers showed a significant difference between pre- and post-training. The aerobic exercise program improved the functional capacity of diabetic elderly women, but was ineffective to change the levels of the inflammatory markers evaluated.