Affiliations: [a] Neuroscience Research Center, Baqiyatallah University
of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran | [b] Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical
Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran | [c] Pardis Physical Therapy Center, Tehran, Iran
Note: [] Corresponding author: Farid Bahrpeyma, Department of Physical
Therapy, Faculty of Medical Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Fax: +98 2122088285; E-mail: bahrpeyf@modares.ac.ir
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are
subject to progressive reduction in muscle strength. However, the effect of
T2DM and its duration on muscle endurance is not clear yet. OBJECTIVE: An assessment of force and endurance in short- and long-term diabetes during an
isokinetic exercise. METHODS: The peak torqueof knee flexion and
extension was recorded for each cycle of 40 isokinetic repetitions of knee
flexion/extension at a velocity of 150°/s. Fifty subjects participated
in the study, 18 of whom were diagnosed with diabetes for less than 10 years,
12 subjects with 10 or more years of T2DM and 20 matched healthy control
subjects (HC). RESULTS: The endurance index (EI) and the slope of the
knee flexor PT curve indicated that patients with long-term T2DM were
significantly more resistant to fatigue in comparison to those with short-term
T2DM and even to HC subjects. CONCLUSION: Long-term diabetes may cause
some muscular adaptation to maintain knee flexor muscle performance during
intensive short-term activity.
Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, isokinetics, muscle endurance, knee muscles
