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Purpose: The purpose of this study is to report cardiorespiratory fitness levels among adults with diabetes and report differences by demographic (eg, body mass index) and behavioral (eg, physical activity) variables., Methods: Data from the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used in the analyses. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using a non-exercise prediction equation and through a submaximal treadmill-based test using heart rate extrapolation. Participants completed a questionnaire to assess various demographic and behavior variables. Seventy eight participants met inclusion criteria and constituted the analyzed sample., Results: The majority (55.1%) of participants were estimated as having low or moderate cardiorespiratory fitness. Results showed that for both methods normal weight individuals had greater cardiorespiratory fitness than obese individuals, and for the non-exercise prediction equation, participants who sat during the day and did not walk very much had lower cardiorespiratory fitness (mean = 26.1 mL/kg/min [95% CI: 18.9-33.4]) than those doing heavy work or carrying heavy loads (mean = 34.6 mL/kg/min [95% CI: 30.2-39.1])., Conclusion: These results suggest that obese and inactive adults with diabetes may be at an increased risk for morbidities and mortality associated with low cardiorespiratory fitness. Physical therapists are encouraged to apply evidence-based principles for exercise prescription and physical activity counseling to help patients with diabetes regulate their blood glucose control and improve cardiorespiratory fitness.

Purpose: Some adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have comorbidities and mobility impairments that limit their exercise capacity. In consideration of this, we developed and piloted a program called Active Steps for Diabetes for people with T2DM, comorbidities, and mobility impairments. The purpose of this paper was to report outcomes for the pilot program., Methods: Active Steps for Diabetes, an 8-week program, included instruction on diabetes self-care andgroup and home exercise programs. Twenty-two females (62.7 +/- 6.1yrs) with T2DM and self-reported mobility impairments completed the program. Six participants used a walking aid. Outcome measures included two risk factors for coronary artery disease [daily physical activity and body mass index (BMI)], cardiovascular fitness (6-minute walk distance), and knowledge of diabetes-specific exercise guidelines. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare outcomes before and after the program and between participants who did and did not use a walking aid., Results: Active Steps for Diabetes was effective in increasing daily physical activity in both groups of subjects (walking aid group: 2.6 days/week [95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.1 to 3.3]; no walking aid group: 1.9 days/week [95% CI=1.2 to 2.5]). This was accompanied by increases in 6-minute walk distances (walking aid group: 54.0 m [95% CI = 36.4 to 71.6]; no walking aid group: 62.6 m [95% CI=55.7 to 69.4]). Changes in BMI were not significant (walking aid group: -0.4 [95% CI = -1.2 to 0.4]; no walking aid group: -.24[95% CI = -.91 to .44]). Increases in knowledge of diabetes-specific exercise guidelines were observed in both groups (walking aid group: 18.8% [95% CI = 11.3 to 26.4]; no walking aid group: 19.3% [95% CI = 16.1 to 22.5])., Discussion: : Physical inactivity and low cardiovascular fitness are predictors of CAD morbidity and mortality in adults with T2DM. This pilot program suggests that a model for diabetes education, incorporating exercise programs developed by a physical therapist, may increase physical activity, improve endurance, and thereby potentially reduce CAD risk in people with T2DM and mobility impairments from comorbidities.