High cardiorespiratory fitness is more beneficial in pre-diabetic men than women

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:To investigate gender-specific relationships between cardiorespiratory fitness and factors that predict the development of diabetes and to identify the risk factors that predict fasting plasma glucose and 2-hour plasma glucose levels.INTRODUCTION:Different risk factors (e.g., low cardiorespiratory fitness) may cause elevated plasma glucose levels in men compared to women. Therefore, gender-specific analyses are needed.METHODS:Cardiorespiratory fitness (maximal power output achieved during a standard cycle ergometry test), resting blood pressure, total serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels were measured in 32 pre-diabetic men (mean age: 57.2±6.8 years; mean body mass index (BMI): 28.5±3.0 kg/m2) and 40 pre-diabetic women (mean age: 55.0±7.3 years, mean BMI: 30.4±5.7 kg/m2). A stepwise regression with backward variable selection was performed to construct models that predict 2-hour and fasting plasma glucose levels.RESULTS:Maximal power output was inversely related to the 2-hour plasma glucose level in the entire group (r = −0.237, p<0.05), but this relationship was significant only for males (r = −0.404, p<0.05). No significant correlation was found between female gender and cardiorespiratory fitness. Age and cardiorespiratory fitness were significant predictors of 2-hour plasma glucose levels in men. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol was predictive of 2-hour plasma glucose levels in women. Triglycerides in women and BMI in men were the only predictors of fasting plasma glucose levels.CONCLUSIONS:These findings may have consequences for the development of gender-specific diabetes prevention programs. Whereas increasing cardiorespiratory fitness should be a key goal for men, improving the lipid profile seems to be more beneficial for women. However, the present results do not negate the positive effects of increasing cardiorespiratory fitness in women.

Physical activity energy expenditure vs cardiorespiratory fitness level in impaired glucose metabolism

“…However, in a prospective study, CRF was associated with progression from NGT to i-IFG, suggesting that CRF may play a role in the regulation of fasting glucose concentration over time [33]. The association of CRF with 2 h plasma glucose concentration confirms previous observations [32,34]. Many studies have also documented relationships between PAEE and 2 h plasma glucose levels independent of the level of CRF [17,35,36].…”

“…This finding was unexpected because of the similar CRF levels in individuals with i-IFG and NGT in our study population. A previous study showed no association of CRF with fasting glucose concentrations in prediabetic men and women [32]. However, in a prospective study, CRF was associated with progression from NGT to i-IFG, suggesting that CRF may play a role in the regulation of fasting glucose concentration over time [33].…”

Rationale and Design of the Henry Ford ExercIse Testing Project (The FIT Project)

“…(The prevalence of diabetes mellitus [DM] in the CCLS and Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study were 4% and 5%, respectively.) As a result, the generalizability of fitness data to the patient population encountered in daily clinical practice is limited, and the differential prognostic value of fitness across different age groups, gender, and races is not well described …”

The effects of weekly motivational phone calls on the amount of leisure sports activities and changes in physical fitness

“…Additionally, Philippaerts et al found that PA during work was modestly, but inversely related to adiposity. From a health perspective, increasing physical fitness and reducing adipose tissue is important as physical fitness and overweight are considered independent predictors of several cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and allcause mortality [24][25][26][27]. Thus, the present results indicate that weekly counseling might be one preventive measure to improve health in the general population and hence to also reduce health-care-related costs [25].…”