Increased Cardiovascular Response to a 6-Minute Walk Test in People With Type 2 Diabetes

Authors

Jonathon Senefeld, Marquette UniversityFollow
Sarah E. D'Astice, Marquette University
Alison R. Harmer, University of Sydney
Sandra Hunter, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

2-2020

Publisher

American Diabetes Association

Source Publication

Diabetes Spectrum

Source ISSN

1040-9165

Abstract

Background and objective

Exercise is a cornerstone of management for type 2 diabetes; however, little is known about the cardiovascular (CV) response to submaximal functional exercise in people with type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to compare performance and CV response during a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) between people with type 2 diabetes and matched control subjects.

Methods

CV response and distance walked during the 6MWT were assessed in 30 people with type 2 diabetes, matched for age, body composition, physical activity, and estimated aerobic capacity with 34 control subjects (type 2 diabetes group: 16 men, 59.8 ± 8.8 years of age, 33.3 ± 10.9% body fat, physical activity of 7,968 ± 3,236 steps·day⁻¹, estimated aerobic capacity 31.9 ± 11.1 mLO₂·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹; control group: 19 men, 59.3 ± 8.8 years of age, 32.7 ± 8.5% body fat, physical activity 8,228 ± 2,941 steps·day−1, estimated aerobic capacity 34.9 ± 15.4 mLO2·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹).

Results

People with type 2 diabetes walked a similar distance (590 ± 75 vs. 605 ± 69 m; P = 0.458) compared with control subjects during the 6MWT and had similar ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) after the 6MWT (4.19 ± 1.56 vs. 3.65 ± 1.54, P = 0.147). However, at the end of the 6MWT, people with type 2 diabetes had a higher heart rate (108 ± 23 vs. 95 ± 18 beats·min⁻¹; P = 0.048), systolic blood pressure (169 ± 26 vs. 147 ± 22 mmHg, P = 0.003), and rate-pressure product (18,762 ± 5,936 vs. 14,252 ± 4,330, P = 0.009) than control subjects.

Conclusion

Although people with type 2 diabetes had similar performance and RPE during the 6MWT compared with control subjects, the CV response was greater for people with type 2 diabetes, indicating greater cardiac effort for similar perceived effort and performance of 6MWT. These data suggest that observation and prescription of exercise intensity should include both perceived effort and CV response.

Comments

Accepted version. Diabetes Spectrum, Vol. 33, No. 1 (February 2020) : 104-110. DOI. © 2020 American Diabetes Association. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Senefeld, Jonathon; D'Astice, Sarah E.; Harmer, Alison R.; and Hunter, Sandra, "Increased Cardiovascular Response to a 6-Minute Walk Test in People With Type 2 Diabetes" (2020). Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications. 177.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/exsci_fac/177