Continuous vs interval training on glycemic control and macro‐ and microvascular reactivity in type 2 diabetic patients

Abstract

To determine the effects of continuous aerobic exercise training (CON) vs interval aerobic exercise training (INT) on glycemic control and endothelium-dependent vasodilatation, 43 participants with type 2 diabetes were randomly allocated to the sedentary, CON, and INT groups. The CON and INT exercise training programs were designed to yield the same energy expenditure/exercise session and included walking on treadmill for 30 and 40 min/day, 3 times/week for 12 weeks. Body fatness and heart rate at rest decreased and leg muscle strength increased (all P < 0.05) in both the CON and INT groups. Fasting blood glucose levels decreased (P < 0.05) in both exercise groups but glycosylated hemoglobin levels decreased (P < 0.05) only in the INT group. Maximal aerobic capacity, flow-mediated dilation, and cutaneous reactive hyperemia increased significantly in both exercise groups; however, the magnitude of improvements was greater in the INT group. Only the INT group experienced reductions in erythrocyte malondialdehyde and serum von Willebrand factor and increases in plasma glutathione peroxidase and nitric oxide (all P < 0.05). We concluded that both continuous and interval training were effective in improving glycemic control, aerobic fitness, and endothelium-dependent vasodilation, but the interval training program appears to confer greater improvements than the continuous training program.

Continuous and interval training programs using deep water running improves functional fitness and blood pressure in the older adults

“…Finally, both types of training were predominantly aerobic, even during the stimulus period of interval training, because they were performed below or at an intensity 17 on the Borg scale, with the exception of the last mesocycle (Alberton et al 2013a, b). Our results do not corroborate those of other studies that reported a greater effect of interval training on oxygen consumption and BP in the elderly (Nemoto et al 2007;Mitranun et al 2014). This difference may be explained because in these studies, the intensity of the continuous group was fixed at light to moderate throughout the training, while the intensity of stimulus period of interval training was very intense and predominantly anaerobic.…”

Exercise interventions in polypathological aging patients that coexist with diabetes mellitus: improving functional status and quality of life

“…Recently, high intensity Terada et al (2013) have shown no changes in fasting glucose and HbA1c following 12 weeks of two high-intensity intermittent endurance or low-intensity continuous endurance training (see training details in the preceding text). Opposite results were found by Mitranun et al (2014) investigating elderly patients with type 2 diabetes performing endurance training 12 weeks, three times per week, 30-40 min per session. This authors compared the effects of lowintensity, continuous endurance training (65 % of VO 2peak ) and high-intensity, interval training (higher intensity at 80 % of VO 2peak ), and found significant reduction in the HbA1c only after the high-intensity training protocol (60 ± 2 vs. 54 ± 2, P < 0.05).…”

Resistance and Aerobic Training in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

“…Thus, the authors concluded that both methodologies are beneficial in the prevention and treatment of DM2. However, the INT training seems to provide additional gains compared to the traditional method [11].…”

“…Elucidating this practice effect, [11] compared INT method to continuous training performed for 12 weeks in 43 individuals with DM2. This study identified that both techniques provided improved exercise capacity (VO 2MAX ), insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR), lower members strength (1RM), vasodilatation capacity (%flow-mediated dilatation (% FMD) of brachial artery), and LDL-c levels.…”