The use and safety of combined resistance and aerobic training in a patient with complications related to type 2 diabetes: a case report

Abstract

Purpose: No guidelines for tailoring exercise programs for patients with diabetic complications are available. The purpose of this case report is to report our experiences with a tailored exercise program including safety precautions for a patient with complications related to type 2 diabetes and exercise related regulation issues. Case Description: A patient with multiple diabetic complications, poor glycemic control, and a history of foot ulceration participated in a 12-week exercise program with multiple safety precautions. Outcomes: Hypoglycemic events required adjustments in training intensity and insulin dosage. Periodic foot screening revealed no ulceration. Target training intensity was achieved at the end of the program, although exercise load could not be increased according to the planned protocol. Training effects were observed in muscle strength increased, perceived limitations in daily functioning diminished and no change in sub maximal exercise capacity. Conclusion: This patient with severe diabetic complications participated safely and successfully in an exercise program. Problems with glycemic control occurred but did not preclude adherence to incremental exercise. We recommend a medical screening, the availability of a network of specialists, and a physical therapist with sufficient knowledge of diabetic complications and exercise physiology to guide training in this patient population.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• This case report demonstrates that physical functioning can be improved safely in a patient with multiple diabetic complications.

• For safety precautions, a medical screening including a X-ECG and a foot screen prior to exercise, and the involvement of a diabetes specialist nurse, a podiatrist, an endocrinologist and a physiatrist in the rehabilitation team are recommended.

• Sufficient knowledge of diabetic complications and exercise physiology is needed in supervising exercise programs for patients with multiple diabetic complications.

Keywords::

• Diabetic complications
• exercise
• physical therapy

Acknowledgments

We thank the network of specialists from the Academic Medical Center Amsterdam for their contribution to this study: Jaques Paulus (podiatrist), Arianne van Bon (endocrinologist), Monique van den Arend and Dorien Dragt (diabetes specialist nurse).

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflict of interest.