The Effect of Interval Training and Nettle Supplement on Glycemic Control and Blood Pressure in Men WithType 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Introduction: Exercise and herbal medicine are therapeutic approaches used to control blood sugar and blood pressure in diabetic patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of interval exercise and nettle supplements on blood glucose, and its role on blood pressure control in men with type 2 diabetes. Methods: In this quasi experimental study, 40 men with type 2 diabetes aged 30-50 years old who were qualified based on our inclusion criteria were chosen and randomly divided into 4 groups (interval training [IT], nettle supplement [NS], nettle supplement combined with interval training [IT+NS], and control). Blood pressure (BP) and fasting blood glucose (FBS) were measured at pre-test and post-test conditions. Paired sample t test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used as statistical tests. Significance level was considered at P ≤ 0.05. Results: Significant differences were detected regarding FBS levels in the three experimental groups in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). Diastolic BP of the both IT and IT+NS groups was significantly different from the control group (P < 0.05). We also detected a significant difference in the diastolic BP between the IT+NS and the control group. Conclusion: According to our results, aerobic IT and nettle supplementation are effective methods for controlling blood sugar and BP in patients with type 2 diabetes. We also showed that using the combination of the 2 methods was more effective than using the either method alone.

Keywords

• Type 2 diabetes
• Interval training
• Nettle
• Blood sugar
• Blood pressure