Walking Improves Cardiac Function: A Trial on the Effects of Walking on Left Ventricular Function in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Cardiometabolic abnormalities, which are common in diabetes patients, can be alleviated through exercise. We examined the specific effects of walking (4-5 METS) on diabetic patients' cardiac function in a randomized study. Patients with type 2 diabetes (metformin-, insulin-, and diet-controlled; n = 32) were randomized to a 12-week walking intervention (40 min, three times/week; n = 16) or standard care (control group, n = 16). We prospectively compared metabolic, anthropometric, cardiac function and cardiorespiratory fitness parameters between the two groups via linear regression. Compared with that of the control group, the postintervention global strain of the walking group improved significantly (-19.0 (±3.0) vs. -20.9 (±2.6), Diff = -1.92 (CI = -2.61--1.24), <i>p</i> < 0.001; control: -18.7 (±3.2) vs. -18.9 (±3.6), Diff = -0.19 (CI = -1.00-0.63), <i>p</i> = 0.650), with a pre/post between-group estimated mean difference of ~-1.73 (CI = -2.78--0.69; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Abdominal circumference (-3 cm (CI = -4.41--1.59), <i>p</i> < 0.001)), resting heart rate/bpm (-6.50 (CI = -9.69--3.31, <i>p</i> < 0.001)) and body fat percentage (-2.74 (CI = -4.71--0.76, <i>p</i> < 0.007)) changed significantly only in the walking group. Spiroergometric data revealed improved oxygen uptake in the walking group vs. the control group: abs_VO2max/L·min^-1 (0.19 (0.05-0.33), <i>p</i> < 0.008); rel_VO2max/mL·kg^-1·min^-1 (2.43 (1.03-3.83), <i>p</i> < 0.001). This first randomized intervention study of supervised walking in patients with type 2 diabetes demonstrated that even moderate-intensity physical activity (such as walking) can improve cardiac function and body composition, reduced waist circumference, and increased oxygen uptake, making it a cost-effective treatment with significant preventive and restorative benefits for cardiac function and body composition in these patients.