Comparison of Lower Limb Strength and Endurance Between Diabetics and Non-Diabetics

Abstract

Background: The Process of aging is associated with numerous changes in all bodily systems that ultimately manifest in a decline in peak physiological function. The Prevalence of Type 2 DM increased with age. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to asses Lower Limb Strength and Endurance in patients with Diabetics in comparison with Age and Gender matched Healthy control subjects. Methodology: Observational analytical study was conducted by Convenience sampling on ≥60years old people of either gender diagnosed with Diabetes and Non diabetics were included. Participants were divided into two groups- Diabetics (Group-A) and Non-Diabetics (Group-B).In each group the individuals were divided into young-old and old-old subgroups. Each individual performed 30 sec Chair stand test to measure Lower limb strength and 2 min step test to measure Endurance. Each subject was given appropriate rest period between the tests. Result: Mean Age of Diabetics and Non- Diabetics is 66.72 ± 6.8 years. Non parametric Mann Whitney U test was applied to find the significance of Strength and Endurance of Young-old and Oldold group of Diabetics and Non-Diabetics. There was a significant difference in Endurance of Young old and Old old group in Diabetics and Non-Diabetics (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between Strength of lower limb of Young old and Old old group in Diabetics and Non-Diabetics (p>0.05). There was significant negative correlation of Post Diabetic Duration with Strength (r= - 0.295) and Endurance (r= -0.270). Conclusion: Long term Diabetes creates changes in endurance of elderly individuals but the overall strength does not change in a tested sample.