The Effects of Functional Exercise Training on Obesity with Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Abstract

Obese individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are at risk for developing overt diabetes and cardiovas- cular diseases (CVD). This study aimed to examine the effects of 12 weeks of a functional exercise training (FET) programme in obese individuals with IGT. Sixteen males and females university staff, aged 50.4±1.3 years (43 to 59 yrs) with mean BMI ≥25 kg/m² (WHO Asian Guidelines) and IGT were randomly divided into the functional exercise training (FET) group or the control (CON) group. Both groups underwent the baseline assessments, including an- thropometric measurements, exercise capacity, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and blood chemistry analysis. All testing was repeated at 12 weeks post-intervention. The FET groups engaged in the FET programme, and the CON group carried out normal daily physical activity, including walking. After the intervention, the FET group showed significant changes in exercise capacity, body weight (BW), BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides, fasting plasma insulin (FPI), 2 hrs glucose, and glucose AUC (p<0.05) while the CON group only exhibited an improvement in HDL-C (p<0.05). The study showed that the FET programme improves exercise capacity and alters cardiometabolic param- eters. It can be an alternative form of exercise for managing obesity and improves glycaemic control in those at risk.