Japanese radio calisthenics prevents the reduction of skeletal muscle mass volume in people with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

ObjectiveReduction of muscle mass and strength is an important treatment target for patients with type 2 diabetes. Recent studies have reported that high-intensity resistance training improves physical function; however, all patients found it difficult to perform high-intensity resistance training. Radio calisthenics, considered as therapeutic exercises to promote health in Japan, are simple exercises that can be performed regardless of age and help move the muscles and joints of the whole body effectively according to the rhythm of radio. We investigated the efficacy of radio calisthenics for muscle mass in patients with type 2 diabetes in this retrospective cohort study.Research design and methodsA total of 42 hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited. The skeletal muscle mass index (SMI, kg/m2) was calculated as appendicular muscle mass (kg) divided by height squared (m2). We defined the change of SMI as the difference of SMI between the beginning and end of hospitalization.ResultsAmong 42 patients, 15 (11 men and 4 women) performed radio calisthenics. Body weights of both radio calisthenics exercisers and non-exercisers decreased during hospitalization. The change of SMI was significantly lesser in radio calisthenics exercisers than in non-exercisers (7.1±1.4 to 7.1±1.3, –0.01±0.09 vs 6.8±1.1 to 6.5±1.2, –0.27±0.06 kg/m2, p=0.016). The proportion of decreased SMI was 85.2% (23/27 patients) in non-radio calisthenics exercisers, whereas that in radio calisthenics exercisers was 46.7% (7/15 patients).ConclusionsRadio calisthenics prevent the reduction of skeletal muscle mass. Thus, radio calisthenics can be considered effective for patients with type 2 diabetes.

Eating Speed Is Associated with the Presence of Sarcopenia in Older Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study of the KAMOGAWA-DM Cohort

“…However, the proportion of the presence of sarcopenia of 15.8% in this study, was almost same as the data of a recent metanalysis [41]. Fourth, we did not have the data of frequency of hospital admissions, which are associated with muscle loss [42]. Lastly, considering that all participants had T2D, it is possible that having a slow eating speed could be attributed more to advice from healthcare professionals than sarcopenia itself.…”

Sarcopenia Is Associated With a Risk of Mortality in People With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

“…In fact, among our study participants, the prevalence of sarcopenia was 15.1%, which was almost similar to that of previous studies ( 34 , 35 ). Exercise training as well as adequate protein and calorie intakes are necessary to maintain and increase muscle mass ( 36 – 40 ). Furthermore, handgrip exercises decrease vascular resistance by a cholinergic mechanism ( 41 ), although it is possible that such a physiological effect may be attenuated in people with T2D because of autonomic nervous dysfunction.…”

Association of Health Literacy with the Implementation of Exercise during the Declaration of COVID-19 State of Emergency among Japanese Community-Dwelling Old-Old Adults

“…Those who selected none were classified into the nonexercise group, and those who selected some exercise were classified into the exercise group. Radio calisthenics is a traditional form of exercise in Japan and has been shown to have a relatively high rate of implementation and effect on preventing the loss of skeletal muscle mass [ 17 , 18 ].…”