COMPARISON OF AEROBIC EXERCISE AND YOGA THERAPY ON ENDURANCE CAPACITY IN DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS

Background: Regular exercise and yoga are key elements in the management of type 2 diabetes. It can help people with diabetes to achieve variety of goals including enhancement of cardiopulmonary fitness, improvement of glycemic control, reduction of blood pressure and improvement in quality of life. Walking and asanas with rhythmic breathing exercises are often the most popular and most preferred feasible type of exercises in overweight middle aged and elderly people with diabetes. Objective: To compare the effect of aerobic exercise and yoga therapy on endurance capacity in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Methods: 30 participants aged 40-55 years diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending OPD of Rajah Muthiah Medical college and Hospital were recruited. Patients with renal cardiac complications were excluded. Aerobic group involves moderate brisk walking and yoga group involves asanas with pranayama 45 minutes daily 5 days per week for 4 weeks. Endurance capacity was measured by Harvard Step test before and after aerobic training and asanas with pranayama and compared with both groups. Results and Conclusion: Independent t test showed no significant differences in endurance capacity between aerobic exercise and yoga therapy. The study revealed that regular practice of both the aerobic exercise and yoga are essential and effective in improving overall functional capacity of diabetes mellitus patients.