Promotion and control of physical exercise by app in primary health care: feasibility, physiological adaptations and associated health benefits of individuals with type 2 diabetes

• Grant number: 23/09829-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: Emmanuel Gomes Ciolac
• Grantee: Bianca Fernandes
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Regular exercise programs have been implemented in primary health care due to the increasing rates of chronic noncommunicable diseases (CNCDs). Among the CNCDs, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is the form present in 90% of cases and is characterized by defects in insulin action and secretion. Televised physical exercise has been attractive from a cost-effective point of view and could overcome existing barriers to physical activity, besides already demonstrating positive effects on glycemic control and lipid profile, and other health variables in diabetics. It is also indicated to combat physical inactivity and may reduce health care costs and burdens. The overall aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility, physiological adaptations, and associated health benefits of tele-supervised versus face-to-face supervised and unsupervised exercise programs in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Individuals with DM2 (N = 66), both genders, and aged 35 to 59 years will be randomly assigned to the groups: 1) exercise tele-supervised by smartphone app (G-Application); 2) exercise supervised in-person (G-Personal); and 3) control without exercise supervision (CON). Anthropometric (weight, height, and body mass index), hemodynamic (blood pressure, heart rate, heart rate variability, arterial stiffness, and endothelial function), metabolic (glycosylated hemoglobin, capillary blood glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol), cardiovascular health profile (by the ideal cardiovascular health index), and functional capacity (lower and upper limb muscle strength, flexibility, dynamic balance, and walking performance) variables will be assessed before and after 12 weeks of intervention. Participants will perform 150 minutes per week (5 days/30 minutes) of moderate aerobic exercise associated with 3 muscle strengthening sessions, also of moderate intensity, in all intervention groups with and without exercise supervision for 12 weeks of follow-up.