Abstract: Objective To explore the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activities in physically active patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods From July to November, 2017, 41 physically active patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were measured physical activities with International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and cardiorespiratory fitness with cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) by bicycle ergometer. The association between cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity was analyzed with bivariate correlation analysis and Logistic regression. Results Leisure-time physical activities positively correlated with peak oxygen consumption and oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold (r = 0.393-0.503, P < 0.05), while leisure-time physical activities independently and positively correlated with normal cardiorespiratory fitness (OR = 5.661, P = 0.017). Conclusion Leisure-time physical activities can improve the cardiorespiratory fitness in physically active patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, which should be encouraged rather than other activities.

Key words: type 2 diabetes mellitus, physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness