Increasing daily walking improves glucose tolerance in overweight women

• Published in: Preventive medicine 2003-10, Vol.37 (4), p.356-362
• Main Authors: Swartz, Ann M, Strath, Scott J, Bassett, David R, Moore, J.Brian, Redwine, Beth A, Groër, Maureen, Thompson, Dixie L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blood pressure; Diabetes Mellitus - blood; Diabetes Mellitus - prevention & control; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - prevention & control; Female; Glucose Tolerance Test; Health; Humans; Middle Aged; Obesity; Pedometer; Physical activity; Steps; Walking
• ISSN: 0091-7435; 1096-0260
• DOI: 10.1016/S0091-7435(03)00144-0

Physical activity (PA) has been shown to benefit glucose tolerance. Walking is a convenient low-impact mode of PA and is reported to be the most commonly performed activity for those with diabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a recommendation to accumulate 10,000 steps/day for 8 weeks was effective at improving glucose tolerance in overweight, inactive women. Eighteen women (53.3 ± 7.0 years old, 35.0 ± 5.1 kg/m 2) with a family history of type 2 diabetes completed a 4-week control period followed by an 8-week walking program with no changes in diet. The walking program provided a goal of accumulating at least 10,000 steps/day, monitored by a pedometer. During the control period, participants walked 4972 steps/day. During the intervention period, the participants increased their accumulated steps/day by 85% to 9213, which resulted in beneficial changes in 2-h postload glucose levels ( P < 0.001), AUC glucose ( P = 0.025), systolic blood pressure ( P < 0.001), and diastolic blood pressure ( P = 0.002). There were no changes in body mass, body fat percentage, and waist circumference during the walking intervention. The 10,000 steps/day recommendation resulted in improved glucose tolerance and a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in overweight women at risk for type 2 diabetes. This demonstrates that activity can be accumulated throughout the day and does not have to result in weight loss to benefit this population.