Core Exercise as Non-Pharmacological Strategy for Improving Metabolic Health in Prediabetic Women
<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Prediabetes (PD) is characterized by impaired glucose metabolism and is associated with an elevated risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effects of an 8-week core exercise intervention on glycemic contr...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | Medicina |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/5/942 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850257891626319872 |
|---|---|
| author | Nuray Yiğiter Faruk Akçınar Yavuz Yasul Vedat Çınar Taner Akbulut Gian Mario Migliaccio |
| author_facet | Nuray Yiğiter Faruk Akçınar Yavuz Yasul Vedat Çınar Taner Akbulut Gian Mario Migliaccio |
| author_sort | Nuray Yiğiter |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Background and Objectives</i>: Prediabetes (PD) is characterized by impaired glucose metabolism and is associated with an elevated risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effects of an 8-week core exercise intervention on glycemic control, lipid profiles, insulin sensitivity, body composition, and physical performance in prediabetic women. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: Eighteen prediabetic women aged 20–55 years were randomly allocated to either a core exercise group (<i>n</i> = 9) or a control group (<i>n</i> = 9). The intervention group completed 24 supervised core exercise sessions over 8 weeks, whereas the control group remained sedentary. Pre- and post-intervention evaluations included anthropometric measurements, flexibility and strength tests, fasting and postprandial glucose levels, HbA1c, insulin, HOMA-IR, lipid profiles, and serum iron levels. Non-parametric tests were used for statistical analysis, and a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering were conducted to explore multidimensional metabolic changes. <i>Results</i>: Core exercise significantly improved the body weight, BMI, fat percentage, and circumferences (shoulder, chest, and hip), along with an enhanced flexibility and back-leg strength (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Glycemic indices (FBG, PBG, and HbA1c), insulin, and HOMA-IR levels were significantly reduced, while serum iron and HDL-C increased (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Lipid markers, including the TG, LDL-C, CHOL, and TG/HDL-C ratio, showed significant improvements. The PCA and cluster analyses identified three clusters reflecting metabolic risk, body composition, and protective factors. <i>Conclusions</i>: This study demonstrates that an 8-week structured core exercise program significantly improves glycemic control, lipid profiles, insulin sensitivity, and body composition in women with prediabetes. Multivariate analyses (PCA and hierarchical clustering) corroborate a metabolic shift towards a reduced insulin resistance and a more favorable cardiometabolic profile, supporting core training as a viable, evidence-based non-pharmacological intervention to mitigate metabolic risk. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8ec170e8caf3477ca1e96f82f8df50d2 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1010-660X 1648-9144 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medicina |
| spelling | doaj-art-8ec170e8caf3477ca1e96f82f8df50d22025-08-20T01:56:17ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442025-05-0161594210.3390/medicina61050942Core Exercise as Non-Pharmacological Strategy for Improving Metabolic Health in Prediabetic WomenNuray Yiğiter0Faruk Akçınar1Yavuz Yasul2Vedat Çınar3Taner Akbulut4Gian Mario Migliaccio5Department of Coaching Education, Faculty Sport Science, Inonu University, Malatya 44000, TürkiyeDepartment of Coaching Education, Faculty Sport Science, Inonu University, Malatya 44000, TürkiyeBafra Vocational School, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun 55400, TürkiyeDepartment of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty Sport Science, Fırat University, Elazig 23000, TürkiyeDepartment of Coaching Education, Faculty Sport Science, Fırat University, Elazig 23000, TürkiyeDepartment of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Rome Open University, 00100 Rome, Italy<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Prediabetes (PD) is characterized by impaired glucose metabolism and is associated with an elevated risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effects of an 8-week core exercise intervention on glycemic control, lipid profiles, insulin sensitivity, body composition, and physical performance in prediabetic women. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: Eighteen prediabetic women aged 20–55 years were randomly allocated to either a core exercise group (<i>n</i> = 9) or a control group (<i>n</i> = 9). The intervention group completed 24 supervised core exercise sessions over 8 weeks, whereas the control group remained sedentary. Pre- and post-intervention evaluations included anthropometric measurements, flexibility and strength tests, fasting and postprandial glucose levels, HbA1c, insulin, HOMA-IR, lipid profiles, and serum iron levels. Non-parametric tests were used for statistical analysis, and a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering were conducted to explore multidimensional metabolic changes. <i>Results</i>: Core exercise significantly improved the body weight, BMI, fat percentage, and circumferences (shoulder, chest, and hip), along with an enhanced flexibility and back-leg strength (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Glycemic indices (FBG, PBG, and HbA1c), insulin, and HOMA-IR levels were significantly reduced, while serum iron and HDL-C increased (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Lipid markers, including the TG, LDL-C, CHOL, and TG/HDL-C ratio, showed significant improvements. The PCA and cluster analyses identified three clusters reflecting metabolic risk, body composition, and protective factors. <i>Conclusions</i>: This study demonstrates that an 8-week structured core exercise program significantly improves glycemic control, lipid profiles, insulin sensitivity, and body composition in women with prediabetes. Multivariate analyses (PCA and hierarchical clustering) corroborate a metabolic shift towards a reduced insulin resistance and a more favorable cardiometabolic profile, supporting core training as a viable, evidence-based non-pharmacological intervention to mitigate metabolic risk.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/5/942body compositioncore trainingglycemic controlinsulin resistancelipid profileprediabetes |
| spellingShingle | Nuray Yiğiter Faruk Akçınar Yavuz Yasul Vedat Çınar Taner Akbulut Gian Mario Migliaccio Core Exercise as Non-Pharmacological Strategy for Improving Metabolic Health in Prediabetic Women Medicina body composition core training glycemic control insulin resistance lipid profile prediabetes |
| title | Core Exercise as Non-Pharmacological Strategy for Improving Metabolic Health in Prediabetic Women |
| title_full | Core Exercise as Non-Pharmacological Strategy for Improving Metabolic Health in Prediabetic Women |
| title_fullStr | Core Exercise as Non-Pharmacological Strategy for Improving Metabolic Health in Prediabetic Women |
| title_full_unstemmed | Core Exercise as Non-Pharmacological Strategy for Improving Metabolic Health in Prediabetic Women |
| title_short | Core Exercise as Non-Pharmacological Strategy for Improving Metabolic Health in Prediabetic Women |
| title_sort | core exercise as non pharmacological strategy for improving metabolic health in prediabetic women |
| topic | body composition core training glycemic control insulin resistance lipid profile prediabetes |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/5/942 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nurayyigiter coreexerciseasnonpharmacologicalstrategyforimprovingmetabolichealthinprediabeticwomen AT farukakcınar coreexerciseasnonpharmacologicalstrategyforimprovingmetabolichealthinprediabeticwomen AT yavuzyasul coreexerciseasnonpharmacologicalstrategyforimprovingmetabolichealthinprediabeticwomen AT vedatcınar coreexerciseasnonpharmacologicalstrategyforimprovingmetabolichealthinprediabeticwomen AT tanerakbulut coreexerciseasnonpharmacologicalstrategyforimprovingmetabolichealthinprediabeticwomen AT gianmariomigliaccio coreexerciseasnonpharmacologicalstrategyforimprovingmetabolichealthinprediabeticwomen |