A preliminary study: effects of football training on glucose control, body composition, and performance in men with type 2 diabetes

Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2014 Aug:24 Suppl 1:43-56. doi: 10.1111/sms.12259. Epub 2014 Jun 5.

Abstract

The effects of regular football training on glycemic control, body composition, and peak oxygen uptake (VO₂ peak) were investigated in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Twenty-one middle-aged men (49.8 ± 1.7 years ± SEM) with T2DM were divided into a football training group (FG; n = 12) and an inactive control group (CG; n = 9) during a 24-week intervention period (IP). During a 1-h football training session, the distance covered was 4.7 ± 0.2 km, mean heart rate (HR) was 83 ± 2% of HRmax, and blood lactate levels increased (P < 0.001) from 2.1 ± 0.3 to 8.2 ± 1.3 mmol/L. In FG, VO₂ peak was 11% higher (P < 0.01), and total fat mass and android fat mass were 1.7 kg and 12.8% lower (P < 0.001), respectively, after IP. After IP, the reduction in plasma glucose was greater (P = 0.02) in FG than the increase in CG, and in FG, GLUT-4 tended to be higher (P = 0.072) after IP. For glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1), an overall time effect (P < 0.01) was detected after 24 weeks. After IP, the number of capillaries around type I fibers was 7% higher (P < 0.05) in FG and 5% lower (P < 0.05) in CG. Thus, in men with T2DM, regular football training improves VO₂ peak, reduces fat mass, and may positively influence glycemic control.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01636349.

Keywords: FGF-21; Soccer; health; high-intensity training; oxidative capacity; team sport.

Publication types

  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adiposity
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism*
  • Body Composition*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / physiopathology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / therapy*
  • Exercise Test
  • Exercise Therapy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Physical Fitness*
  • Soccer / physiology*
  • Time and Motion Studies
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Blood Glucose

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01636349