Metabolic, Inflammatory, Cognitive Risk Stratification, and Intensive Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Intervention for Middle-aged and Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background and Significance: T2DM is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among adults worldwide, with approximately 5 million diabetes-related deaths accounting for 12.8% of all-cause mortality in 2015. The prevalence of T2DM in Asia is on the rise, with an anticipated increase from 78 million in 2015 to 140 million by 2040. Asia, therefore, is emerging as the "diabetes epicentre" due to rapid economic development, urbanisation, and nutrition transition. T2DM is a complex disease with environmental and genetic contributions that cause many severe complications in middle-aged and older adults, including a higher susceptibility to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. The prevalence of cognitive impairment in T2DM ranges from 21.8% to 67.5% worldwide in all adults. Our previous study developed a risk stratification score (RSS) to quickly screen the T2DM population for high-risk or low-risk cognitive impairment. Exercise intervention plays a crucial role inof T2DM the management . Aerobic exercise has multiple benefits to metabolic functions, including increasing cardiovascular fitness, improving skeletal muscle capillary density, and reducing body fat. Resistance training is considered a promising intervention for reversing the loss of muscle function and deterioration of muscle structure associated with ageing. Intervention strategies, such as the proposed combined aerobic and resistance training program, will provide a guideline to prescribe exercise dosage for individuals with T2DM who are at risk of cognitive impairment.

Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted, comprising a quasi-experimental control trial followed by a process evaluation through focus group discussions. The study screened 150 subjects, and 58 were recruited. Participants were assigned to either the exercise intervention group or the non-exercise control group according to their availability. The intervention group received a 12-week Intensive Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Program (IAREP), while the control group received usual care from Jurong National University Polyclinics without participating in the IAREP exercise.