Research Square · Oct 22, 2026
Knowledge of physical activity, level of physical activity & functional performance in patients with type 2 Diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study
By Rajadhyaksha P, Bane J, Oak M et al.
Background: Physical activity is an important aspect in controlling Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus but a number of patients do not achieve adequate levels although its benefits are already established. While PA knowledge is assumed to influence behavior, evidence on its relationship with functional performance remains inconsistent. Methods: This cross-sectional study lasted six months and was carried out in KDMC areas collecting 63 participants with T2DM of 1 year duration aged 40–60 years. Method of sampling was purposive, targeting participants from diabetes outpatient departments and from advertisements in communities. Data collected included a Physical Activity Knowledge questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire and a Six-Minute Walk Test. Graphpad prism 10.5.0 was used to carry out statistical analysis, Shapiro-Wilk test was done to assess normality, Spearman's coefficient was employed to analyze any relationships. Results: Participants belonged to mean age of 51.53 ± 6.34years, BMI 28.15 ± 6.01 and mean duration of diabetes of 6.66 ± 5.43 years. The overall mean of PAK score was 13.09 ± 2.36, while that of Physical activity was 1145 ± 1288MET-min/week and for the 6MWT was 471.4 ± 53.48 m. Functional grading was normal for 77.77% subjects and 22.22% mildly impaired while classification of PA levels through IPAQ-SF indicated that 36.50% achieved low PA levels, 57.14% moderate while only 6.34% high. The correlation analysis between the Pak score and 6MWT showed small nonsignificant relationship (r = 0.025 and p = 0.84) as was between physical activity level and 6MWT (r = 0.149 p = 0.24). Conclusion: The study found that although the participants recorded moderate physical activity levels, the participants exhibited a fair amount of physical activity knowledge that however did not relate significantly with functional performance. This means that there is need for intervention modalities beyond Pak and reported physical activity to improve on outcome of T2DM management.