Physical activity among adults with diabetes mellitus in Rwanda

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common non-communicable diseases, and is the fifth leading cause of death in most developing countries. Regular physical activity is strongly recommended for individuals with diabetes for its beneficial effects in the improvement of blood glucose control and insulin sensitivity, prevention and reduction of morbidities and complications, as well as for its cardiovascular benefits. Using a cross-sectional design, this study examined the demographic, social and health-related factors associated with physical activity participation among adults with diabetes mellitus in Kigali, Rwanda. One hundred-and-fifty six (156) adults with diabetes mellitus participated in the study. More than a third (39%) of the participants was categorized as inactive. Active participants were significantly younger than those categorized as inactive. Age, marital status, level of education and self-efficacy for diabetes were all significantly associated with levels of physical activity. Common barriers to participation in physical activity were cited as poor health status, lack of motivation and lack of awareness about the importance of physical activity. It is thus clear that efforts should be made to educate adults with diabetes mellitus about the benefits of integrating regular physical activity in their daily routine.

Physical activity and sedentary behaviour of adults with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review

“…Twenty studies used solely subjective methods across a variety of subjective instruments to record participants’ activity data . The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was the most common resource . Four studies used researcher‐developed questionnaires .…”

Medication Adherence and its Association with Glycaemic Control, Blood Pressure Control, Glycosuria and Proteinuria Among People Living With Diabetes (PLWD) in the Ho Municipality, Ghana

“…Despite the evidence of substantial benefits of physical activity towards clinical management goals in diabetes, a high rate of physical inactivity has been reported among people living with diabetes (1,11,12). There is limited information on physical activity among people living with diabetes in the Ho Municipality.…”

Rebound exercise: A beneficial adjuvant for sedentary non-insulin-dependent type 2 diabetic individuals in a rural environment

“…Possibly rebound exercise is unique in that the cyclical jumping on an elastic surface assisted by gravity facilitates musculoskeletal function of the entire body and not only the lower limbs with increased heart and respiratory rates facilitating improvements in vascular function of the entire body. 9 The increase in respiratory rates during the exercise follows the rhythmical bouncing which enhances diaphragm movements and the lung tissue into repetitive 'wave-like movements' increasing breathing excursions and ventilatory equivalents leading to hyperventilation, high airflow and improving cardiorespiratory function. 23 The blood pressure readings post-rebound exercise could relate to the positive and negative pressure changes due to gravity with values of systolic blood pressure increasing during exercise and diastolic pressure remaining fairly constant affecting central and thoracic blood volumes leading to an increase in blood pressure.…”

“…7,8 Although the benefits of exercises are encouraged T2D individuals do not engage in this activity due to feeling tired or fatigue leading to a sedentary lifestyle, and in some countries such as United States and Australia 54% of adults do not engage in exercises, with rural Australians having higher levels of mortality and more likely to be overweight and obese. 9,10 This vicious cycle of inactivity leads to a poor quality of life, obesity and increase in weight progressing to diabetes and related complications adding strain to health care resources and loss of productivity to society which may be worse in rural and resource-poor environments. 3 Rebound exercise is relatively 'new' and this aerobic exercise is generally used as a recreation activity to achieve cardiorespiratory fitness, weight loss, a healthy body, subjective feeling of well-being and improving the quality of life.…”