Defining the level of physical activity for a diabetic who is obese

Overview

Physical activity plays an important role in the treatment of metabolic syndrome and/or type 2 diabetes or obesity. Less than 20 % of the adult population does physical exercise at least twice a week. The effectiveness of physical exercise depends on paying attention to the following parameters: the frequency, the intensity and the duration. The most difficult parameter to set for patients with obesity or metabolic syndrome is the optimum intensity of exercise. The most common means of measuring the intensity of physical activity is heart rate or pulse rate. With patients who take medicines that affect their heart rate, the Borg scale is used to give a subjective rating of perceived exertion. To set optimal intensity it is necessary to use exertion tests with these patients. The most accurate setting is a suitable combination of spiroergometry and a CHR (clamped heart rate) test. In practice, though, it is usually enough to combine ergometry together with the Borg scale. Tracking exertion parameters during exercise improves patient compliance and also the results of exercise.

Key words:
obesity – type 2 diabetes mellitus – metabolic syndrome – physical activity – spiroergometry – CHR test