PHYSICAL EXERCISE EFFECTS ON GLYCEMIC CONTROL IN ELDERLY WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/arev7n11-348Keywords:
Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, Aged, Exercise, Glycated Hemoglobin, Systematic ReviewAbstract
Introduction: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a significant public health challenge, particularly for the elderly. Physical exercise is recognized as a fundamental non-pharmacological tool for its management. Objective: To synthesize scientific evidence on the effects of different physical exercise modalities on glycemic control in elderly individuals with T2DM. Method: This is a systematic review conducted in June 2025, using the PubMed, LILACS, Cochrane Library, and SciELO databases. The search employed the descriptors “Aged,” “Exercise,” “Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2,” and “Glycated Hemoglobin A” in both Portuguese and English, combined with the Boolean operator “AND”. The publication period was delimited from January 1995 to June 2025. Results: Eight studies were included, which consistently demonstrate the efficacy of exercise. Moderate aerobic training promoted the highest absolute reduction in HbA1c (-1.6%), primarily acting on insulin sensitivity. High-intensity resistance training showed robust reductions (1.2% to 1.34%), mechanistically linked to increased muscle mass. Combined programs and modalities such as Pilates also offered significant benefits, with the added advantage of improving functional and cardiometabolic parameters. Conclusion: It is concluded that various exercise modalities are effective for glycemic control in elderly with T2DM, with complementary mechanisms. Prescription should be personalized, considering the individual's functional capacity and comorbidities. Future research should focus on standardizing protocols and developing strategies to overcome adherence barriers, aiming for the sustainable implementation of these interventions in clinical practice.
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