This study aimed to identify the association between physical exercise and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in Korean patients diagnosed with diabetes. Data from the 2015−2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. In total, 2559 participants were included (1286 males and 1273 females). Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the effect of physical exercise on controlled HbA1c levels among diabetic patients. In Korean male patients with diabetes, performance of physical exercise, including walking and resistance exercises, was associated with controlled HbA1c levels < 6.5% (odds ratio (OR), 1.85; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.17−2.92). In males, performing resistance exercise for ≥5 days a week, without walking exercise, had a significant association with HbA1c levels (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.15−2.65). HbA1c levels were more likely to be controlled when both walking and resistance exercises were performed for ≥5 days a week in both sexes (males: OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.04−2.93 and females: OR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.09−6.15). This study found that resistance exercise may contribute to the management of HbA1c levels among Korean patients with diabetes. Promoting resistance exercise performance can be beneficial for improving the condition of patients with diabetes.
Keywords: HbA1c; diabetes; glycated hemoglobin; physical exercise; resistance exercise; walking exercise.