OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the effect of a 12-week sports-based exercise intervention on glucose regulation, anthropometry and inflammatory markers associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in indigenous Australian men. DESIGN: Twenty-six inactive indigenous Australian men (48.6 +/- 6.6 years) were randomized into exercise (n = 16) or control (n = 10) conditions. METHODS: Training included about 2 to 3 days/week for 12 weeks of sports and gym exercises in a group environment, whilst control participants maintained normal activity and dietary patterns. Pre- and post-intervention testing included: anthropometry, peak aerobic capacity, fasting blood chemistry of inflammatory cytokines, adiponectin, leptin, cholesterol, glucose, insulin and C-peptide. An oral glucose tolerance test measured glucose, insulin and C-peptide 30, 60, 90 and 120min post 75g glucose ingestion. RESULTS: The exercise condition decreased insulin area under the curve (25 +/- 22%), increased estimated insulin sensitivity (35 +/- 62%) and decreased insulin resistance (9 +/- 35%; p < 0.05), compared with control (p > 0.05). The exercise condition decreased in body mass index, waist circumference and waist to hip ratio (p < 0.05), compared to control (p > 0.05). Leptin decreased in the exercise group, with no changes for adiponectin (p > 0.05) or inflammatory markers (p > 0.05) in either condition. Aerobic fitness variables showed significant increases in peak oxygen consumption for the exercise condition compared to no change in control (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate positive clinical outcomes in metabolic, anthropometric and aerobic fitness variables. This study provides evidence for sport and group-based activities leading to improved clinical risk factors associated with T2DM development in clinically obese indigenous Australian men.

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