Farnaz Zahedmanesh, Ardeshir Zafari2 and Foruzan Zahedmanesh
Sedentary lifestyle and increment of diabetes prevalence has been considered as important factors in the start of the 3rd millennium. The prevalence of diabetes, mortality and financial burden of those in world is growing. Incidence and mortality of diabetes in Iran is increasing. Increment of age & gender related risk factors such as hyperglycemia accompanied by decrement of physical activity levels in sedentary females. Exercise training and physical activity reduced blood glucose, but the influences of different types of swimming and combination of them on Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) concentration has rarely been investigated. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was determined and compared of the effects of swimming combined training on fasting blood sugar concentration in academic level athlete's women. 20 subjects randomly selected from 30 volunteered healthy academic level athlete's women (20-25 years). This subjects randomly divided in two groups such as, Exercise (BMI: 25.2 ± 2.1; n= 10) and Control groups (BMI: 25.6 ± 2.6; n= 10). Training program was performed for 8 weeks, 2 days / week and 60 min / days. Swimming training was started at 55% of Heart Rates Reserve (HRR) at the beginning week and 85% of HRR at last week. Fasting blood sample was taken for measuring of FBS with ELISA method (Pars Azmoon kits, Iran) after 9 to 12 hours of fasting, 7-8 am, from left Antecubital vein at medical diagnosis laboratory. Between groups differences of fasting blood sugar concentration were analyzed bya two-tailed independent samples t test. Within groups differences of fasting blood sugar concentration were analyzed bya twotailed paired samples t test. Significant levels in all tests were P≤0.05. Mean differences of fasting blood sugar concentration (Exercise: 85.7 ± 12.5 vs. Control: 95.8 ± 14.2 mg.dl-1) between groups in posttest were significant (P=0.0001**). Decrement of fasting blood sugar concentration in pretest (100.2 ± 14.3 mg.dl-1) and posttest (85.7 ± 12.5 mg.dl-1) of exercise group were significant (P≤0.0001**). The results of this study indicated that 8 weeks of combined swimming training included aerobic and anaerobic swimming decreased fasting blood glucose levels and corrected pattern of diabetes in academic level athlete's women. The results of previous studies indicated that increment of physical activity levels and exercise training modified diabetes risk factors and decrement of diabetes morbidity and mortality. Decrement of fasting blood glucose in this study resulted from increased glucose utilization, increased insulin sensitivity and muscles glucose intake and decrease of insulin resistance; which led to increase in muscle glucose metabolism and decrease in blood glucose levels. These results indicated that moderate intensity combined swimming have positive effect on FBS in women.
