The use of an isometric handgrip test to show autonomic damage in people with diabetes.

Background: Vascular endothelial and autonomic damage are hallmarks of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, while much has been published on impairment of the autonomic nervous system, much less has been published on the interrelationship between autonomic damage and exercise.

Study Design: The present investigation examined the change in heart rate, blood pressure, skin and limb blood flow, and sweat during non-fatiguing (10% and 25% maximum strength [maximal voluntary contraction (MVC)]) and a fatiguing isometric contraction (40% MVC) in people with type 2 diabetes compared to younger and older controls to see if a simple handgrip test could show the extent of autonomic damage in people with diabetes.