The Assessment of Lower Limb Muscles Strength and Endurance in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background and Objective: Insulin resistance, impaired of metabolism in the body, neuromuscular impairments can decrease of muscles strength and endurance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) especially in the lower extremities. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess lower limb muscles strength and endurance in T2DM.

Methods:  Sixty subjects voluntarily participated and were divided into two groups; T2DM group (n = 30) and normal group (n = 30).  All subjects were received a sit-to-stand-to-sit test for 10 repetitions (STS10) to measure muscles strength in the lower extremities and a sit-to-stand-to-sit test for 60 seconds (STS60) to measure muscles endurance in the lower extremities.

Results: The results showed that lower extremities muscles strength in the T2DM was significant lower than normal subjects (19.54±0.04 and 24.76±0.19 second, respectively; p=0.04). Moreover, lower extremities muscles endurance in the T2DM was significant lower than normal subjects (27.93 ± 4.84 and 35.20 ± 7.35 time, respectively; p=0.02)

Conclusion: T2DM patients had lower muscles strength and endurance in the lower extremities. A program for help increase muscles strength and endurance fitness is recommended for the T2DM patients.