Effect of Static Stretching on Random Blood Sugar Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

According to the International Diabetes Federation's Diabetes Atlas 2006, the number of diabetics will top 70 million by next mid-decade. Type I and type II are the two variations diabetes that exist. 90-95% of diabetics have type 2 DM. Recent studies have shown that exercise and physical activity reduce blood sugar levels. Yoga, aerobics, swimming, stretching, and resistance training improve insulin sensitivity. As type II diabetes can cause neuropathies, hypertension, and amputations, static stretching may help those who can't do regular exercise. People who have been bedridden for a long time or who are too old to do other types of exercise may benefit from static stretching. Earlier research was done to compare the immediate effects of static stretching vs. resistance exercises on blood sugar levels after a meal in people with type II diabetes mellitus. Long-term consequences of static stretching on type II diabetes unpredictable blood sugar levels are unknown. This study examined the effect of static stretching on type II diabetics' random blood sugar levels. Key words: Diabetes, Stretching, exercises, aerobic exercise, blood glucose level..

Effect of stretching exercises on blood gluocse levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a brief review

“…The development of T2DM can be slowed down by modification in lifestyle through physical activities such as brisk walking, physical body movement and adopting proper balanced diet by reducing body weight, and taking oral medications and some patients may also need supplementary insulin. 1,[4][5][6][7]9 There is an inverse relationship of incidence of type 2 diabetes with higher physical activity and lower leisure sedentary lifestyle. 8 The risk for diabetes is largely influence by ethnicity, age, obesity and physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and behavioral habits in addition to genetics and family history.…”

“…Physical exercises increase the glucose uptake by skeletal muscles causing the reduction in blood glucose level. 1,[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Physical activities improve the tissue sensitivity to insulin. Physical activities including muscle stretching, aerobic training, resistance training, high intensity interval training, yoga etc.…”

“…Thus, it should easily fit into the repertoire of treatment modalities of people with T2DM. 1,4,5,7,10,12 Static stretching involves holding a muscle in challenging but comfortable position for 30 seconds without moving the extremity during the stretch. Active stretching is performed by the subjects independently whereas passive stretching involves a stretch applied by the therapist or by any other external force.…”

“…Exercise increases GLUT-4 levels in the skeletal muscles. 1,4,5,7,10,12 Several studies have shown that stretching helps in lowering the blood glucose level in patients with T2DM immediately after the intervention (Table 1). 1,[4][5][6][7]10,12 Studies have supported that stretching could results in better glycemic control, improve joint mobility and muscle function in diabetic patients.…”

“…Type 1 is also known as juvenile diabetes mellitus and type 2 is also known as adult diabetes mellitus. [5][6][7][8] In type 1, which accounts for 5-10% of cases, the cause is an absolute deficiency of insulin secretion resulting from auto-immune destruction of the insulin producing cells in the pancreases. Among the diabetic population 90-95% patients have T2DM.…”