Introduction:
Diabetes is an important cause of mortality throughout the world. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by hyperglycemia and obesity, which are aggravated by a sedentary lifestyle. The consequences of long-term hyperglycemia include neurological or vascular complications and can lead to amputation, retinopathy, kidney failure, or other severe complications and a consequently poor quality of life. This study was conducted to report the effect of moderate exercise versus light exercise on fasting blood glucose in obese patients with T2DM.

Methods:
For three months, 60 patients with sedentary lifestyles aged 35 to 60 years were randomly assigned to one of two groups in this two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial. Group 1 received 30 minutes of treadmill walking at 40–60% of maximum heart rate. Group 2 was given 30 minutes of treadmill walking per day, divided into 5 minutes every 2 hours.

Results:
At the base line, no significant difference was found between both groups in BMI, waist to hip ratio, 6-minutes’ walk, fasting blood glucose and SF-36. After three months of treatment, there was no significant difference in BMI, p = 0.111, waist to hip ratio, p = 0.271, 6 minutes’ walk, p = 0.614, blood glucose, p = 0.105, and SF-36, p = 0.106 between the two groups, despite the fact, that among each group significant differences for all analyzed parameters were observed.

Conclusions:
Repeated short walking has a similar effect on blood glucose, obesity, and quality of life as continuous long walking. Walking for 5 minutes every 2 hours may be a useful alternative for patients with T2DM.