Enhance Balance and Mobility in People With Type 2 Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

The long-term goal of this research is to establish the effectiveness of a mechanism-based therapeutic intervention for improving balance and mobility functions and preventing falls in older adults with type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Specific Aim 1 will determine if combined high intensity isolated leg muscle power exercise with balance perturbation training (ActiveStep) and aerobic exercise achieves greater improvements in balance stabilization (protective stepping behavior and kinematics) and mobility function (gait parameters and timed functional measures) than a lifestyle based intervention that primarily focuses on aerobic exercise through underlying mechanisms of improved neuromuscular activation (rate and magnitude) and sensorimotor control, improved muscle quality, and increased blood flow to enhance neuromuscular and sensorimotor performance in people with DPN. Specific Aim #2: To determine if a neuromotor balance training program combined with muscle power exercise training and aerobic exercise, leading to improved neuromuscular and sensorimotor mechanisms, is more effective in improving clinical tests of balance and mobility functions in those with DPN compared with a traditional exercise intervention.