17 May Higher Lifetime Cardiac Fitness Linked To Lower Risk of Diabetes
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Lisa Chow
Dr Lisa Chow MD MS
University of Minnesota, Minnesota, MI
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Chow: A number of previous studies have shown people who maintain or increase their cardiac fitness (CRF) through adulthood have a lower risk of developing diabetes, abnormal metabolic measures, cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular mortality than those whose CRF declines. However, these previous studies are limited for several reasons, including use of a largely male population, measurement of fitness over a limited duration (5–7 years) or measurement of fitness at varying intervals prospectively. In this new research, the authors used data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study to objectively and rigorously analyse the link between cardiac fitness and development of either prediabetes or diabetes over a 20-year period.
The main finding is that higher cardiac fitness is associated with lower risk for developing prediabetes and diabetes, even when adjusting for prospective changes in body mass index.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Dr. Chow: This study is clinically relevant as it provides evidence to support commonly accepted dogma that fitness is beneficial in reducing the risk for prediabetes/diabetes. As this benefit remained significant even when adjusting for BMI, exercise program remain critically important for reducing the development of prediabetes and diabetes
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: There is an important need to identify acceptable and sustainable exercise programs to the general population such that the benefits of exercise can be delivered.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
Twenty year fitness trends in young adults and incidence of prediabetes and diabetes: the CARDIA study Lisa S. Chow et al
Diabetologia First online:
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Last Updated on May 17, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD