Diabetes Metab J.  2012 Jun;36(3):211-221. 10.4093/dmj.2012.36.3.211.

Effects of Aerobic Exercise Intensity on Abdominal and Thigh Adipose Tissue and Skeletal Muscle Attenuation in Overweight Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

• Jung JY
• Han KA
• Ahn HJ
• Kwon HR
• Lee JH
• Park KS
• Min KW

• KMID: 2281402
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2012.36.3.211

Abstract

BACKGROUND
We investigated the effects of exercise intensity on abdominal and mid-thigh adipose tissue, attenuation of skeletal muscle, and insulin sensitivity in overweight women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
METHODS
Twenty-eight patients were randomly assigned to control (CG, n=12), moderate intensity exercise (MEG, n=8), or vigorous intensity exercise (VEG, n=8) group. Subjects in both exercise groups completed a 12-week exercise program (MEG, 3.6 to 5.2 METs; VEG, > or =5.2 METs) that was monitored by accelerometers. We assessed body mass index (BMI), total fat area (TFA), visceral fat area (VFA), subcutaneous fat area (SFA), mid-thigh intramuscular adipose tissue (TIMAT), total skeletal muscle (TTM), low density skeletal muscle (TLDM), and normal density skeletal muscle (TNDM) using computed tomography, and measured insulin sensitivity with an insulin tolerance test (KITT), before and after the intervention.
RESULTS
At baseline, the mean age was 53.8+/-7.9 years, duration of diabetes was 3.8+/-2.3 years, and BMI was 26.6+/-2.6 kg/m2. After 12 weeks, the percent change (%C) in BMI, TIMAT, and TLDM were not different among three groups. However, %C in TFA and VFA were significantly reduced in MEG compared to CG (P=0.026 and P=0.008, respectively). %C SFA was significantly reduced in VEG compared to CG (P=0.038) and %C TTM, TNDM, and KITT were significantly increased in VEG compared to the CG (P=0.044, P=0.007, and P=0.016, respectively).
CONCLUSION
Although there was no difference in the change in BMI among groups, TFA and VFA were more reduced in MEG, and only VEG increased TTM, TNDM, and insulin sensitivity compared to CG.

Keyword

Abdominal fat; Attenuation of skeletal muscle; Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Exercise intensity; Mid-thigh adipose tissue

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Fat
Adipose Tissue
Body Mass Index
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Exercise
Female
Humans
Insulin
Insulin Resistance
Intra-Abdominal Fat
Muscle, Skeletal
Overweight
Subcutaneous Fat
Thigh
Insulin

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Change in abdominal fat (A), mid-thigh fat (B), and mid-thigh muscle (C) after 3-month intervention among 3 groups. TFA, total fat area; VFA, visceral fat area; SFA, subcutaneous fat area; TSFA, mid-thigh subcutaneous fat area; TFFA, mid-thigh subfascial fat area; TIMAT, mid-thigh intramuscular adipose tissue; TTM, mid-thigh total muscle; TLDM, mid-thigh low density muscle; TNDM, mid-thigh normal density muscle; CG, control group; MEG, moderate intensity exercise group; VEG, vigorous intensity exercise group. aP value <0.05 compared to control group.

• 

  Fig. 2 Change in insulin sensitivity after 3-month intervention among 3 groups. CG, control group; MEG, moderate intensity exercise group; VEG, vigorous intensity exercise group. aP value <0.05 compared to control group.

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