Ozean Journal of Applied Sciences 4(3), 2011 351 EFFECTS OF STRUCTURED EXERCISE THERAPY ON PHYSICAL FUNCTIONAL INDICES OF PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES IN A NIGERIAN TERTIARY HOSPITAL KAYODE I. OKE*, ELIAS O. AGWUBIKE**and AIHANUWA EREGIE*** *Department of Physiotherapy, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. Nigeria. **Department of Health, Environmental Education and Human Kinetics, University of Benin, Benin City. Nigeria. ***Department of Medicine (Endocrinology Unit), University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. Nigeria. *E-mail address for correspondence: Kayodeoke2001@yahoo.com _____________________________________________________________________________ Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects a six-week structured exercise therapy had on the physical functional indices of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). They were patients attending the endocrinology clinic of a tertiary health institution in Nigeria. A total of 60 patients (40 males and 20 females) whose ages ranged between 50- 75 years were purposively recruited into this study. Participation was voluntary and the patients signed informed consent forms and were treated in accordance with experimental ethics specified in the policies of the hospital. They were certified safe for exercise participation by their attending physicians/ endocrinologists. The patients’ pre-test physical performance capacities were compared to those of their post-test using the modified-Physical Performance Test battery by Brown and Sinacore (2005) which is a standardized and consistently measured test that focused on patients’ impairments and frailty to perform functional activities. Data collected were analyzed using the parametric statistics of t-test at alpha level of 0.05. The results showed significant improvements in the patients’ ability to perform standing static balance, book lift, putting on and removal of jacket, turning 360 0 and 50-foot walk tests. However, climbing stairs, picking up a coin from the floor and chair rise did not significantly improve. It was therefore concluded that since structured exercise therapy significantly improves physical functional performance capacity of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, inclusion of such exercise therapy in their management milieu should be institutionalized. Keywords: Exercise therapy; physical function; T2DM patients ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Ozean Journal of Applied Sciences 4(3), 2011 ISSN 1943-2429 © 2009 Ozean Publication