Aqua-aerobic exercise (AE) has been proposed as an alternative mode of exercise in the medical management of type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12-wk AE training program on health-related physical fitness and glycemic control in older subjects with T2DM. Forty elderly subjects with diagnosis of T2DM were assigned either to the AE group (n = 20) or the non-exercise control group (n = 20). Thirty minute of continuous aerobic exercise in swimming pool (water temp about 34 to 36 degrees C) at 70% of maximum heart rate, 3 days/wk were performed in the AE group. The aqua-aerobic training group demonstrated a significant reduction in body weight, percentage of body fat, blood pressure, resting heart rate, and a significant increase in VO2max and muscular strength at the 12th-wk of training (p < 0.05). Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), cholesterol, triglyceride, and insulin decreased significantly (all p < 0.05) in the AE group compared to the non-exercise control group. There was no significant correlation between HbA1c and VO2max (r = 0.302). These findings indicate that 12 wks of AE training may help prevent complications in elderly patients with T2DM.

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