Passive stretching versus active stretching on immediate blood glucose in subjects with type II diabetes mellitus - A pilot study

Abstract

Background: Physical activity is the key element in prevention and management of Type II Diabetes mellitus. Physiotherapy interventions such as Endurance exercise, Progressive resistive exercises and Stretching exercises can lower blood glucose in patients with Type II Diabetes. It is not known that whether the active stretching or the passive stretching is better in reducing the glucose level in patients with Type II diabetes. Objective of the study was to find out the immediate effects of active stretching exercises and passive stretching exercises in lowering blood glucose level in patients with Type II diabetes.rnMethods and Material: 20 subjects with history of diabetes of more than 10 years with glycosylated haemoglobin (6-8) % were referred by the physician. Subjects in group A underwent 40 minutes of active stretching of lower limb and group B subjects underwent passive stretching of the same muscle groups for 40 minutes. Blood glucose levels were measured before and after 40 minutes of stretching.rnResults: Both groups showed statistically significant results in blood glucose immediately after stretching. Compared to active stretching, passive stretching resulted in significantly greater reduction in the blood glucose level (p< 0.05). rnConclusions: Results suggest that active stretching and passive stretching of skeletal muscle may be an alternative to resisted exercises to lower the blood glucose level. However, comparing between groups passive stretching was better than active stretching in reducing the blood sugar level.rn