Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of various intensities of physical activity with glycemic control and insulin resistance in eastern China.
Methods A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in eastern China. The subjects included 604 community-dwelling people. The participants were classified as insufficiently active (IA); sufficiently active (SA) and very active (VA) according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Insulin sensitivity was assessed using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Related social, biological, lifestyle factors and clinical characteristics were recorded and used as potential confounders.
Results The cohort of 604 type 2 diabetes patients were classified according to the activity level: 107 subjects who were classified as IA, 329 met the criteria for SA, and the rest were VA. The proportion of obese patients, smokers, patients with hypertension, and the body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hemoglobin A1c protein (HbA1c), and 2-h postprandial blood glucose (2hPG) were significantly lower in the SA and VA groups than in the IA group (p<0.05 or 0.01). The SA group had lower levels of fasting blood glucose (FPG) and HOMA-IR than the IA and VA groups (p<0.05 or 0.01). HOMA-IR was positively correlated with FPG, 2hPG, HbA1c, waist circumference and BMI. HOMA-IR was negatively correlated with the total walking activity (p<0.05). After adjusting for FPG, 2hPG, HbA1c, waist circumference and BMI among the groups, a partial correlation analysis showed a correlation between HOMA-IR and the total walking activity.
Conclusion Physical activity is a significant factor regarding glycemic control and insulin sensitivity, although SA and walking may be superior to VA for ameliorating insulin sensitivity.