Beschreibung:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec>
<jats:title>Objective</jats:title>
<jats:p>Studies show that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) do not engage in regular exercise as often as individuals without T2DM. In addition to numerous barriers to engaging in regular exercise, a different rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during physical activity has been hypothesized to play a role. Therefore, this study investigates whether T2DM affects RPE.</jats:p>
</jats:sec><jats:sec>
<jats:title>Methods</jats:title>
<jats:p>RPE values (BORG scale ratings) and heart rate (HR) data were analyzed during an endurance step test (25 W + 25 W every 2 min) at different workloads relative to the individual maximum load (50%, 70% and 90% of peak workload (W<jats:sub>peak</jats:sub>)) in patients with T2DM and in non-diabetic control (CON) subjects (n = 12 in each group). Furthermore, in a larger group of overweight patients with T2DM (n = 81), it was investigated whether glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels correlate with RPE values at the different relative loads.</jats:p>
</jats:sec><jats:sec>
<jats:title>Results</jats:title>
<jats:p>Neither RPE nor HR values significantly differed between T2DM and CON subjects at 50%, 70% or 90% of W<jats:sub>peak</jats:sub>. No significant correlations were identified between HbA1c levels and RPE values.</jats:p>
</jats:sec><jats:sec>
<jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title>
<jats:p>There is no evidence in our study that T2DM leads to a different perception of physical exertion. Other causes must therefore be responsible for the increased lack of motivation of T2DM patients to engage in regular exercise.</jats:p>
</jats:sec>