PMID 35071605

Research
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A Comparative Study of Health Efficacy Indicators in Subjects with T2DM Applying Power Cycling to 12 Weeks of Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training

Li J, Cheng W, Ma H

Question

How do 12 weeks of low-volume power-cycling HIIT, moderate continuous cycling, and control compare for fitness and health indicators in men with type 2 diabetes?

Summary

In middle-aged men with type 2 diabetes, 12 weeks of supervised low-volume cycling HIIT and moderate continuous cycling both improved several health markers. HIIT used about half the main exercise time and produced larger gains in VO2max and fasting insulin, while MICT produced larger body-weight and BMI reductions.

Methodology

  • Male adults with type 2 diabetes recruited from a hospital diabetes clinic
  • 37 participants.
  • Monark power-bike cycling.
  • Work intervals: 1 minute at 80-95% VO2max.
  • Recovery: About 1 minute active recovery at 25-30% VO2max.
  • Intensity: 80-95% VO2max for work intervals.
  • 25 minutes including 5-minute warm-up, 15-minute interval block, and 5-minute finishing activities.
  • 5 sessions per week.
  • 12 weeks.
  • Parallel randomized controlled trial
  • Aerobic fitness, Glycemic markers, Body size, and Blood pressure were tracked.

Outcomes

VO2max

Both exercise groups improved VO2max, with a larger change after HIIT.

HIIT 3.39 to 3.92 L/min, p=0.001; MICT 3.46 to 3.77 L/min, p=0.001; change difference HIIT > MICT p=0.001.

Improved

Glucose

Fasting blood glucose decreased after both HIIT and MICT.

FBG decreased from 7.80 to 6.93 with HIIT and 7.60 to 6.83 with MICT, both p=0.001.

Improved

Insulin

Fasting insulin improved more after HIIT than MICT and control.

Fasting insulin change favored HIIT over MICT p=0.043 and control p=0.006.

Improved

Body weight

MICT reduced body weight and BMI more clearly than HIIT.

MICT body weight 73.12 to 69.60 kg, p=0.001; BMI 26.75 to 25.45, p=0.001; HIIT weight/BMI changes were not significant.

Mixed

Safety

No adverse events were observed or reported.

Safety was reported narratively; no adverse reactions or negative emotions were reported.

No clear change

Insights

  • Supervised low-volume cycling HIIT may deliver fitness and fasting-insulin benefits with less exercise time than MICT.
  • For weight loss, MICT outperformed this HIIT protocol in this study.
  • The protocol was medically screened and supervised by an instructor and physician.

Limitations

  • Male-only type 2 diabetes sample aged 32-47.
  • Small sample.
  • No unsupervised or home-based delivery.
  • Diet and medication stability were controlled by exclusion but real-world adherence may differ.

Safety

  • Participants were medically screened, sessions were supervised, and the authors reported no adverse events or negative exercise reactions.