Start Date
19-6-2025 12:00 PM
End Date
19-6-2025 1:00 PM
The Effect of Exercise Program on Musculoskeletal Changes in Individuals with Diabetic Foot Syndrome
Abstract
Introduction Diabetic Foot Syndrome (DFS) is one of the most serious complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) with severe health and socioeconomic consequences. It is defined as ulceration, infection, or tissue destruction of the foot associated with chronic angiopathy or neuropathy. Physical activity is considered an important part of treatment with positive impacts on all mentioned aspects and complications of DFS [1-7].
Methodology 12-weeks multicomponent movement intervention program examined changes in the musculoskeletal system (dynamometry, goniometry), fitness (Senior Fitness Test) and physical activity (IPAQ) in 38 patients with DFS in remission. The research population was divided into two groups (Based on stratified randomization): the experimental group (n = 19), which received the intervention program and the control group (n = 19), which was not instructed to do any physical activity.
Results In the experimental group, statistically significant improvements were found in joint flexibility (p = 0.012), dynamometry (plantar flexion strength) of lower right limb (p = 0.043) and lower left limb (p = 0.013), fitness and general physical activity after intervention (moderate PA (p = 0.06) and heavy PA (p = 0.03)). The change in weight distribution of the individual between forefoot and rearfoot of lower left limb (LLL) and lower right limb (LRL) was statistically significant in the experimental group (p = 0.04 LLL and p = 0.05 LRL).
Conclusions Research has demonstrated the possibility of positively influencing multiple factors directly associated with diabetic foot syndrome and thus highlighted the importance of physical therapy in T2DM, with key impacts on both individual health and treatment costs.
References
1) Matos, M., Mendes, R., Silva, A. B., & Sousa, N. (2018). Physical activity and exercise on diabetic foot related outcomes: A systematic review. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 139, 81–90.
2) Colberg, S. R., Sigal, R. J., Yardley, J. E., Riddell, M. C., Dunstan, D. W., Dempsey, P. C., ... & Castorino, K. (2016). Physical activity/exercise and diabetes: A position statement of the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care, 39(11), 2065–2079.
3) Chen, L., Magliano, D. J., & Zimmet, P. Z. (2012). The worldwide epidemiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus—present and future perspectives. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 8, 228–236.
4) Dixit, S. M., Maiya, A. G., & Shastry, B. A. (2014). Effect of aerobic exercise on peripheral nerve functions of population with diabetic peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetes: A single blind, parallel group randomized controlled trial. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, 28(3), 332–339.
5) Lemaster, J. W., Mueller, M. J., Reiber, G. E., Mehr, D. R., Madsen, R. W., et al. (2008). Effect of weight-bearing activity on foot ulcer incidence in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: Feet first randomized controlled trial. Physical Therapy, 88(11), 1385-1398.
6) Sartor, C. D., Hasue, R. H., Cacciari, L. P., Butugan, M. K., Watari, R., Passaro, A. C., ... & Biasotto-Gonzalez, D. A. (2014). Effects of strengthening, stretching and functional training on foot function in patients with diabetic neuropathy: Results of a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 15, 137.
7) Vrátná, E., Husáková, J., Jarošíková, R., Dubský, M., Wosková, V., Bém, R., … & Fejfarová, V. (2022). Effects of a 12-week interventional exercise programme on muscle strength, mobility and fitness in patients with diabetic foot in remission: Results from BIONEDIAN Randomised Controlled Trial. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 13, 869128.
Recommended Citation
Vrátná, Eliška; Daďová, Klára; Vařeková, Jitka; Fejfarová, Vladimíra; and Králová, Kateřina, "The Effect of Exercise Program on Musculoskeletal Changes in Individuals with Diabetic Foot Syndrome" (2025). International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness. 36.
https://sword.cit.ie/isapa/2025/day4/36
The Effect of Exercise Program on Musculoskeletal Changes in Individuals with Diabetic Foot Syndrome
Introduction Diabetic Foot Syndrome (DFS) is one of the most serious complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) with severe health and socioeconomic consequences. It is defined as ulceration, infection, or tissue destruction of the foot associated with chronic angiopathy or neuropathy. Physical activity is considered an important part of treatment with positive impacts on all mentioned aspects and complications of DFS [1-7].
Methodology 12-weeks multicomponent movement intervention program examined changes in the musculoskeletal system (dynamometry, goniometry), fitness (Senior Fitness Test) and physical activity (IPAQ) in 38 patients with DFS in remission. The research population was divided into two groups (Based on stratified randomization): the experimental group (n = 19), which received the intervention program and the control group (n = 19), which was not instructed to do any physical activity.
Results In the experimental group, statistically significant improvements were found in joint flexibility (p = 0.012), dynamometry (plantar flexion strength) of lower right limb (p = 0.043) and lower left limb (p = 0.013), fitness and general physical activity after intervention (moderate PA (p = 0.06) and heavy PA (p = 0.03)). The change in weight distribution of the individual between forefoot and rearfoot of lower left limb (LLL) and lower right limb (LRL) was statistically significant in the experimental group (p = 0.04 LLL and p = 0.05 LRL).
Conclusions Research has demonstrated the possibility of positively influencing multiple factors directly associated with diabetic foot syndrome and thus highlighted the importance of physical therapy in T2DM, with key impacts on both individual health and treatment costs.
References
1) Matos, M., Mendes, R., Silva, A. B., & Sousa, N. (2018). Physical activity and exercise on diabetic foot related outcomes: A systematic review. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 139, 81–90.
2) Colberg, S. R., Sigal, R. J., Yardley, J. E., Riddell, M. C., Dunstan, D. W., Dempsey, P. C., ... & Castorino, K. (2016). Physical activity/exercise and diabetes: A position statement of the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care, 39(11), 2065–2079.
3) Chen, L., Magliano, D. J., & Zimmet, P. Z. (2012). The worldwide epidemiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus—present and future perspectives. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 8, 228–236.
4) Dixit, S. M., Maiya, A. G., & Shastry, B. A. (2014). Effect of aerobic exercise on peripheral nerve functions of population with diabetic peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetes: A single blind, parallel group randomized controlled trial. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, 28(3), 332–339.
5) Lemaster, J. W., Mueller, M. J., Reiber, G. E., Mehr, D. R., Madsen, R. W., et al. (2008). Effect of weight-bearing activity on foot ulcer incidence in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: Feet first randomized controlled trial. Physical Therapy, 88(11), 1385-1398.
6) Sartor, C. D., Hasue, R. H., Cacciari, L. P., Butugan, M. K., Watari, R., Passaro, A. C., ... & Biasotto-Gonzalez, D. A. (2014). Effects of strengthening, stretching and functional training on foot function in patients with diabetic neuropathy: Results of a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 15, 137.
7) Vrátná, E., Husáková, J., Jarošíková, R., Dubský, M., Wosková, V., Bém, R., … & Fejfarová, V. (2022). Effects of a 12-week interventional exercise programme on muscle strength, mobility and fitness in patients with diabetic foot in remission: Results from BIONEDIAN Randomised Controlled Trial. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 13, 869128.
