Simple fitness testing in obese diabetics

What is it about?

Low level of fitness is an important independent mortality risk factor. Fitness, however, is not routinely tested for by GPs, internal medicine or diabetology specialists. We used a simple fitness test (two minute step-in-place test) in obese diabetics to see how this would be tolerated in outpatient hospital setting and if the testing would somehow affect the tested individuals in short term (three to four months). We have found that the test was very well tolerated by our patients as well as by the personnel and that it was associated with better laboratory outcomes (in comparison with untested age- and sex-matched control subjects followed for the same period), although a direct link between the test and the positive lab development could not be established.

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Why is it important?

It is absolutely necessary to know something about the fitness level of the patients as it directly and independently determines their quality of life and longevity. However, fitness is not routinely screened for by physicians in any standardized way (besides 6 minute walking test which is unpractical or ergospirometry/CPEX which is costly and unavailable in many smaller hospitals). Thus the introduction of a simple fitness test becomes a challenging strategy for future outpatient routine if effective prevention programmes are to be globally establihed.

Perspectives