# 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

PMID: 35071605
Journal: Journal of Diabetes Research
Published: 2022
Authors: 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.

## Population

- Male adults with type 2 diabetes recruited from a hospital diabetes clinic
- Sample size: 37
- Age: 32-47 years
- Sex: Male
- Fitness level: No recent supervised exercise; able to perform cycle training
- Health status: Type 2 diabetes for at least 1 year, BMI <35 kg/m2, no major macrovascular or microvascular complications

## Methodology

- Parallel randomized controlled trial
- 12 weeks
- Hospital-linked supervised cycling training
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Low-volume HIIT power cycling.
- Modality: Monark power-bike cycling.
- Work intervals: 1 minute at 80-95% VO2max.
- Recovery: About 1 minute active recovery at 25-30% VO2max.
- Sets or repetitions: 8 rounds.
- Intensity: 80-95% VO2max for work intervals.
- Session duration: 25 minutes including 5-minute warm-up, 15-minute interval block, and 5-minute finishing activities.
- Frequency: 5 sessions per week.
- Program length: 12 weeks.
- Progression: Power cycling intensity progressed within prescribed VO2max range.
- Moderate-intensity continuous training and control.
- Modality: Monark power-bike continuous cycling or lifestyle control.
- Work intervals: MICT continuous 30 minutes.
- Recovery: Not applicable.
- Sets or repetitions: One continuous bout.
- Intensity: 50-70% VO2max.
- Session duration: 40 minutes including 5-minute warm-up and 5-minute finishing activities.
- Frequency: 5 sessions per week.
- Program length: 12 weeks.
- Progression: Maintained moderate-intensity cycling; control received counseling.

## Outcomes

### VO2max
Status: improved
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.

### Glucose
Status: improved
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.

### Insulin
Status: improved
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.

### Body weight
Status: mixed
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.

### Safety
Status: no clear change
No adverse events were observed or reported.

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

## Practical 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 And Adherence

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

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35071605/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9273830) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8776485/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.