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Engaging in high levels of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity each week may significantly lower the risk of developing chronic kidney disease in overweight/obese individuals with type 2 diabetes, suggests a new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
The research, conducted by an international team of scientists, found that increasing weekly physical activity by just over an hour was associated with a 33% reduction in the risk of chronic kidney disease. Notably, these benefits were observed regardless of whether the physical activity occurred in bouts lasting above or below 10 minutes at a time.
Dr. Ellen Harding-Smith, lead author of the study and an Environmental Chemistry researcher at the Department of Environment & Geography, emphasized the importance of these findings. “Many consumers are being misled by the marketing of these products and could be damaging the air quality in their homes as a result – potentially putting their health at risk.”
Type 2 diabetes is a major risk factor for chronic kidney disease, which significantly increases the risk of mortality compared to diabetes alone. While previous research has shown short-term benefits of exercise on kidney function in individuals with type 2 diabetes, the long-term effects and optimal duration of physical activity remained unclear.
To investigate further, researchers analyzed data from the US Look AHEAD trial, focusing on physical activity levels and kidney disease progression in over 5,000 overweight/obese adults with type 2 diabetes. Participants wore activity trackers to monitor their physical activity levels over an average period of 12 years.
The study found that participants who engaged in the highest levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week—ranging from 329 to 469 minutes—were significantly less likely to progress to chronic kidney disease compared to those with lower activity levels.
Moreover, increasing weekly physical activity by at least an hour over the course of four years was associated with a substantial reduction in the risk of kidney disease progression.
Dr. Harding-Smith emphasized the importance of regular physical activity for overall health and well-being. “These findings underscore the importance of regular physical activity for individuals with type 2 diabetes, as it can have direct anti-inflammatory effects and improve various metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors associated with renal function.”
While the study highlights the potential benefits of physical activity in reducing the risk of chronic kidney disease, further research is needed to explore optimal exercise intensity and duration for individuals with type 2 diabetes and overweight/obesity.
In summary, the study suggests that overweight/obese individuals with type 2 diabetes should aim to incorporate at least an hour of moderate intensity activity into their daily routines, such as brisk walking, cycling, jogging, or swimming, to reduce their risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
The research was funded by the National Key Research and Development Program and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
