Effect of Leisure Walking on Biochemical Parameters in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Keywords:
Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Walking Program, Glycemic Control, Lipid Profile, Hematological Parameters, HbA1c.Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a leisure walking program on biochemical and hematological parameters of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus patients in Hyderabad, Sindh.
METHODOLOGY: This quasi-experimental, single-group, longitudinal study was conducted from September 2023 to August 2025 using convenience sampling. 40 individuals (male and female) aged 30 to 60 years with only Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) participated in the study and were exposed to a supervised home-based walking program for 9 months. The intervention consisted of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (50-70% of maximal heart rate), performed by walking at 3- 4 mph for over 15 minutes a day, 7 days a week, excluding warm-up and cool-down. Assessment has been carried out at 4 time points (baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months) for biochemical parameters (HbA1c, FBS, RBS, T.G, total lipids, cholesterol, HDL, LDL) and hematological parameters (hematocrit, Hemoglobin, platelet count, WBC, ESR). Repeated-measures ANOVA, paired t-tests, Friedman, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests have been used to analyze data in the R programming environment. 4.4.1 and Python version. 3.12.
RESULTS: There have been pronounced changes in glycemic control. Total cholesterol, TG, LDL and VLDL decreased, whereas HDL and Hemoglobin increased remarkably after 9 months of walking. ESR also decreased, indicating reduced inflammation.
CONCLUSION: A structured, moderate-intensity walking program has been shown to have a significant positive effect on biochemical and hematological parameters of T2DM patients. Walking is a useful, low-cost adjunct in scarce-resource environments.
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