Exercise therapy is considered an important cornerstone in the prevention and treatment of Type 2 diabetes. For practical, economical as well as medical reasons, its clinical application is still underutilised. In subsequent chapters this dissertation describes the complex pathophysiology of Type 2 diabetes as well as a variety of studies that investigate the feasibility and efficacy of both short-, medium- and long-term exercise interventions in different subpopulations of Type 2 diabetes patients. Also, novel research methodologies are introduced to provide more insight into the clinical benefits of exercise intervention in the diabetes state. Based on the latest scientific insights, therapeutic guidelines for tailored exercise interventions in Type 2 diabetes patients are proposed and suggestions for future research are provided.

The present dissertation is aimed at clinicians, scientists, exercise therapists and health care policy makers dealing with the complexities of state-of-the-art diabetes care in the 21st century.

Stephan F.E. Praet, MD has received his training in Human Movement Sciences, Sports Medicine and Clinical Exercise Physiology and is currently working as a Sports & Exercise physician. Through transfer of knowledge from Sports Medicine and Exercise Sciences his clinical research is aimed at improving the clinical care of patients with chronic metabolic diseases. Besides the current focus on exercise physiology he also has a special interest in clinical foot biomechanics, including the diabetic foot.