Acute high intensity interval exercise is similarly effective as moderate intensity continuous exercise on plasma glucose control in type 2 diabetic men aged 30 to 50 years: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the acute effects of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) versus moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) on postprandial plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in men aged 30-50 years with type 2 diabetes (T2D), hoping to provide empirical evidence for the effects of different exercise types on glucose management in T2D patients. METHODS: Fourteen men with type 2 diabetes (T2D) underwent a randomized three crossover intervention: HIIE with cycling; energy expenditure matched MICE with cycling; and a sedentary control [CON]) in postprandial state. Plasma glucose and insulin levels were measured at pre-exercise, postexercise, 1 h postexercise, prelunch and 1 h postlunch, respectively. Responses of areas under the curve (AUC) during 4 h from pre-exercise to 1 h postlunch were also calculated. RESULTS: Both HIIE and MICE decreased plasma glucose and insulin levels during 4 h experimental period compared to CON, with significant intervention x time interaction effects for glucose (P=0.001) and insulin (P=0.006) values evolution. Area under curve (AUCs) for glucose and insulin were reduced in HIIE and MICE compared to CON (P<0.05), whereas no differences were found between HIIE and MICE. CONCLUSIONS: Acute HIIE and the matched MICE improve plasma glucose control in the same magnitude in type 2 diabetic men aged 30-50 years.

Automated summary

This study compared the effects of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) and moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) on glucose management in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. The results showed that both HIIE and MICE had similar effects on plasma glucose control in T2D men aged 30-50 years.