Abstract
Objectives
One of the consequences of old age is cognitive and physical decline, which can cause
a wide range of problems. These complications are more pronounced in those with type
2 diabetes (T2D). The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effect of combined
exercise training on blood biomarkers, physical fitness, and cognitive function in
elderly women with T2D.
Methods
Twenty-one elderly women with T2D were randomly allocated to training (n=12) and control
(n=9) groups. The exercise training program was a combination of aerobic, resistance,
and balance exercises performed 3 times per week over 12 weeks. In the same period,
the control group received no training intervention. Blood markers, including brain-derived
neurotrophic factor (BDNF), irisin, glycated hemoglobin (A1C), fasting blood sugar
(FBS), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), lower and upper body strength, and cognitive
function, were measured in all participants at baseline and after 12 weeks.
Results
Serum BDNF levels were not significantly different between the exercise and control
groups at 12 weeks (p>0.05). FBS and A1C levels in the exercise group decreased significantly
compared with the control group (p<0.05). CRF, dynamic balance, and both upper and
lower body strength in the exercise group improved significantly compared with the
control group (p<0.05). Irisin levels decreased significantly in the control group,
but levels did not change significantly in the exercise group. Greater improvements
from exercise were observed on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment index compared with
the control group (p=0.05), but no other group differences in cognitive function were
noted.
Conclusions
Combined exercise improved some physical fitness and diabetes-related surrogate factors,
as well as select cognitive functions, but had no significant effect on cognition-related
biochemical factors (i.e. BDNF) in women with T2D.
Résumé
Objectifs
Le déclin cognitif et physique, qui est l’une des conséquences de la vieillesse, entraîne
un grand nombre de problèmes. Les personnes atteintes du diabète de type 2 (DT2) sont
plus vulnérables à ces complications. L’objectif de la présente étude pilote était
d’examiner les effets de l’entraînement physique combiné sur les biomarqueurs sanguins,
la forme physique et la fonction cognitive des femmes âgées atteintes du DT2.
Méthodes
Nous avons réparti de façon aléatoire 21 femmes âgées atteintes du DT2 au groupe d’entraînement
(n = 12) et au groupe témoin (n = 9). Le programme d’entraînement physique consistait
en la combinaison d’exercices aérobiques, contre résistance et d’équilibre réalisés
3 fois par semaine durant 12 semaines. Pendant la même période, les femmes du groupe
témoin ne recevaient aucune intervention en matière d’entraînement. Au début et après
12 semaines, nous avons mesuré les marqueurs sanguins de toutes les participantes,
notamment le facteur neurotrophique dérivé du cerveau (BDNF, de l’anglais brain-derived neurotrophic factor), l’irisine, l’hémoglobine glyquée (A1c), la glycémie à jeun, la forme cardiorespiratoire
(FCR), la force de la partie inférieure et de la partie supérieure du corps, et le
fonctionnement cognitif.
Résultats
Les concentrations sériques du BDNF n’étaient pas significativement différentes entre
les femmes du groupe d’entraînement et les femmes du groupe témoin après 12 semaines
(p > 0,05). La glycémie à jeun et les concentrations de l’A1c des femmes du groupe
d’entraînement diminuaient significativement (p < 0,05) par rapport aux femmes du
groupe témoin. La FCR, l’équilibre dynamique et la force de la partie inférieure et
de la partie supérieure du corps des femmes du groupe d’entraînement par rapport aux
femmes du groupe témoin montraient des améliorations significatives (p < 0,05). Les
concentrations d’irisine des femmes du groupe témoin montraient une diminution significative,
mais les concentrations des femmes du groupe d’entraînement ne changeaient pas. Nous
avons observé que les femmes du groupe d’entraînement avaient des améliorations plus
importantes que les femmes du groupe témoin (p = 0,05) à l’indice de l’Évaluation
cognitive de Montréal (MoCA, de l’anglais Montreal Cognitive Assessment), mais nous
n’avons noté aucune autre différence dans les fonctions cognitives des femmes des
deux groupes.
Conclusions
L’entraînement physique combiné a permis d’améliorer certains paramètres de la forme
physique et facteurs de substitution liés au diabète ainsi que certaines fonctions
cognitives, mais n’a eu aucun effet sur les facteurs biochimiques des fonctions cognitives
(c.-à-d. le BDNF) des femmes atteintes du DT2.
Keywords
Mots clés
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 17, 2022
Accepted:
November 13,
2022
Received in revised form:
November 7,
2022
Received:
April 12,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Canadian Diabetes Association.
