The effect of tele-monitoring on exercise training adherence,functional capacity,quality of life and glycemic control in patients with type II diabetes

We used tele-monitoring to attempt to improve exercise adherence (number of hours of exercise completed),peak vo 2,hba1c% and quality of life in an unsupervised,home based exercise program in people with type ii diabetes,a cost analysis was also conducted. thirty-nine patients with type ii diabetes were randomized to tele-monitoring (tele) or control (con) groups. all patients were asked to complete 6 months exercise training and complete an exercise activity diary. the tele group was instructed to record their exercise heart rates using a monitor and received weekly telephone calls from an exercise physiologist. six tele patients and seven con patients did not complete the 6 month testing. tele patients completed a mean weekly volume of 138 minutes,moderate intensity exercise,while con patients completed 58 minutes weekly (p < 0.02). neither group achieved the american heart association statement guideline for weekly exercise volume of 150 minutes. tele patients improved peak vo 2 (5.5%),but neither group improved hba1c% or quality of life. the con group showed a 4.9% reduction in peak vo 2. while tele-monitored patients completed more hours of exercise and demonstrated improved peak vo 2 compared to controls,the exercise volume completed was insufficient to improve glycemic control. there is the potential via tele-monitoring to enable people with diabetes to meet exercise training guidelines. © journal of sports science and medicine.