Pandey A, et al. - This study compared the changes in cardiometabolic variables in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients who were randomized to multiple short-duration, high-intensity burst exercise versus moderate-intensity continuous exercise training (MICT). Findings of this inquiry lend support to the better cardiometabolic benefits of burst exercise versus MICT over 3 months in newly diagnosed patients with T2D.

Methods

• This study included 40 newly-diagnosed patients with T2D without lipid lowering or hypoglycemic medications.
• These patients were randomized to 40 minutes of MICT (60% of maximal heart rate) 5 days weekly or 3 continuous bursts of 12 minutes of high-intensity exercise (85% of maximal heart rate) 5 days weekly, for 3 months.
• An assessment was performed of body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin A_1C (HbA_1C), and lipid profile before and following 3 months of exercise training.

Results

• Findings demonstrated that burst exercise vs. MICT resulted in greater body mass index reduction (-2.1±1.2 vs. -0.7±0.7kg/m² respectively, p<0.05).
• Researchers observed that in the burst exercise group, there was a greater reduction at 3 months (p<0.05) in HbA_1C (8.14±0.49 to 7.32±0.39%) compared to the MICT group (8.18±0.35 to 7.94±0.41%).
• They also noted that burst exercise versus MICT was related to greater reduction in low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (-11 vs. -4%; p<0.05), and a greater increase in high-density lipoproteins cholesterol (22% vs. 3%); all p<0.05.
• Data reported that after 3 months, patients in the burst exercise group attained greater exercise time on the treadmill (exercise capacity) than those prescribed the MICT (6.87±1.44 vs. 5.40±1.96minutes; p<0.001).