Impact of post-meal and one-time daily exercise in patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized crossover study

Abstract Background To evaluate the effectiveness of short-timed post-meal and one-time daily exercise on glycemic control in patients with T2DM. Methods Sixty-four T2DM patients were randomised into crossover design. Group A (n = 32) underwent post-meal exercise (moderate-intensity brisk walking covering 1500–1600 steps for 15 min, starting 15 min after each meal) from d1 to d60 followed by one-time daily exercise (45 min pre-breakfast brisk walking at stretch covering 4500–4800 steps) from d61 to d120, while it was vice versa for the group B (n = 32). The five-point blood glucose profile was performed on d1, d30, d60, d90 and d120, and HbA1c on d1, d60 and d120. Fitness wrist band was used for step-counting to ensure the intensity of exercise and compliance to exercise protocol. Results Group A patients showed a significant improvement in five point blood glucose profile and HbA1c after performing post-meal exercise (p