The Impact of Moderate-to-High-Intensity Exercise Protocols on Glycated Hemoglobin Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Ana Pedrosa,
Guilherme Furtado,
Marcelo Paes de Barros,
André Luís Lacerda Bachi,
José Pedro Ferreira,
Vilma A. Sardão,
Luís Rama,
Ana Teixeira
Affiliations
Ana Pedrosa
Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education (FCDEF-UC), University of Coimbra-Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity (CIDAF, UID/PTD/04213/2020), 3040-256 Coimbra, Portugal
Guilherme Furtado
Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education (FCDEF-UC), University of Coimbra-Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity (CIDAF, UID/PTD/04213/2020), 3040-256 Coimbra, Portugal
Marcelo Paes de Barros
Institute of Physical Activity Sciences and Sports (ICAFE), MSc/PhD Interdisciplinary Program in Health Sciences, Cruzeiro do Sul University, São Paulo 01506-000, Brazil
André Luís Lacerda Bachi
Post-Graduation Program in Health Sciences, Santo Amaro University (UNISA), São Paulo 04829-300, Brazil
José Pedro Ferreira
Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education (FCDEF-UC), University of Coimbra-Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity (CIDAF, UID/PTD/04213/2020), 3040-256 Coimbra, Portugal
Vilma A. Sardão
CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
Luís Rama
Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education (FCDEF-UC), University of Coimbra-Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity (CIDAF, UID/PTD/04213/2020), 3040-256 Coimbra, Portugal
Ana Teixeira
Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education (FCDEF-UC), University of Coimbra-Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity (CIDAF, UID/PTD/04213/2020), 3040-256 Coimbra, Portugal
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing global health issue that is closely linked to the epidemic of obesity. In addition to genetic factors, environmental and health-risk behaviours (i.e., high-carbohydrate diet and physical inactivity) contribute to a variety of pathophysiological disorders. Advanced exercise protocols, such as Moderate-to-intensity (MIT) and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), revealed a strategy for mitigating and/or attenuating the DTMII’s harmful effects by controlling glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. The goals of this review were to summarize the most recent evidence on the impact of HIIT on HbA1c levels. A mini-review protocol was performed through the PubMed/Medline database. The search comprised experimental and randomized controlled trial studies published in English between 2016 and 2021. The terms HbA1c, T2DM, MIT and HIIT, and their analogues were used. A total of seven studies were finally included. Our findings showed that the HIIT protocol is an effective strategy to induce HbA1c balance and improve glycaemic control than moderate training. The HIIT conducted in the laboratory and involving aerobic exercise on a cycle ergometer appears to be more efficient that MIT. Additional findings include improved beta-cell function, decreased low-grade inflammation, and the induction of cardiovascular benefits. More research is required to investigate the feasibility and safety of HIIT protocols in T2DM patients.
