Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

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Is exercise the new cure for Diabetes?

13 November 2008

World Diabetes Day on Friday 14 November 2008 represents the significance of the research undertaken by Bond University Exercise Science Professor Greg Gass with his colleague Dr Clare Minahan.

The team are currently conducting a three-year research project into the exercise dose-response relationships for women aged 65 to 74 years with and without type 2 diabetes.

“World Diabetes Day is extremely important for us in promoting awareness as many people are unaware of the warning signs of diabetes” explains PhD student Kevin Serre also working on the project.

The study is also reinforced by statistics released from Diabetes Australia stating over 60% of all type 2 diabetes cases are preventable through maintaining regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

Professor Gass was approved $668,875 funding for the STEP ForWARD project (Striding Towards Exercise Prescription for Women: A Recommended Dose) in March from the National Health and Medical Research Council.

“Research has shown exercise to be an extremely effective means of preventing as well as alleviating the negative effects of diabetes, but the amount of exercise to do to gain this benefit is unknown.” 

“By optimizing exercise prescription, we can improve quality of life and possible reverse many of the effects of diabetes” said Mr. Serre

The participants exercise in a purpose-built science laboratory in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine building on a set number of days for a specified length of time.

Initial results obtain have indicated a very positive response.

“We have seen drastic improvements in blood glucose control, general fitness and probably most important of all, an improvement in overall feeling of well-being in many of the ladies participating” said Mr Serre

Upon completion, Professor Gass is expected to deliver the results of the project to local GPs.

“It’s a significant public health initiative that is going to produce new knowledge,” said Professor Gass.

For more information or to participate in the STEP ForWARD project please phone Greg Gass on (07) 559 54481

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