| Objective
Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is one of the long-term complications of diabetes. Few studies have investigated the role of regular exercise on diabetic PN. We examined the effect of aerobic training on nerve conduction velocity and action potential amplitude in the lower limbs of men with type 2 diabetes and PN.
Methods
In a randomized controlled study, 24 volunteers diagnosed with diabetic PN were randomly assigned to exercise or control groups. Aerobic training consisted of 20–45 min walking or running at 50–70% of heart rate reserve for three sessions per week over 12 weeks. Before and 48 h after the experimental period, nerve conduction studies were performed and blood samples were taken to be analyzed for HbA1c, fasting and 2 h postprandial glucose concentration. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA at significance level of P < 0.05.
Results
Sural sensory nerve conduction velocity (NCV) in the exercise group significantly increased (from 35.2 ± 4.3 m/s to 37.3 ± 6.2 m/s) compared to the control group (P = 0.007). Changes in peroneal and tibial motor NCV and nerve action potential amplitude (NAPA) in all nerves studied were not different between groups (P > 0.05). Moreover, HbA1c decreased to a greater extent in the exercise group compared to the control (P = 0.014).
Conclusion
Aerobic exercise training may have the potential to hinder the progression of diabetic PN by improving NCV. Given the sparse evidence in this domain, exercise-related mechanisms need to be studied in the future. |