HIIE Protocols Promote Better Acute Effects on Blood Glucose and Pressure Control in People with Type 2 Diabetes than Continuous Exercise.

Paulo Gentil,Camila Simões Seguro,Wátila De Moura Sousa,Lucas Raphael Bento E Silva,Gabriela De Oliveira Teles,Ana Cristina Silva Rebelo

doi:10.3390/ijerph19052601

Abstract

This study compared the acute effects of a session of different high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) protocols and a session of moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) on blood glucose, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) in people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2). The trial included 44 participants (age: 55.91 ± 1.25 years; BMI: 28.95 ± 0.67 kg/m2; Hb1Ac: 9.1 ± 2.3%; 76 mmol/mol) randomized into three exercise protocols based on the velocity at which maximum oxygen consumption was obtained (vVO2 max): long HIIE (2 min at 100% vV̇o2peak + 2 min of passive rest); short HIIE (30 s at 100% vV̇o2peak + 30 s of passive rest); or MICE (14 min at 70% vV̇o2peak) on a treadmill. Capillary blood glucose, BP, and HR measurements were taken at rest, during peak exercise, immediately after the end of exercise, and 10 min after exercise. Long and short HIIE protocols reduced capillary blood glucose by 32.14 mg/dL and 31.40 mg/dL, respectively, and reduced systolic BP by 12.43 mmHg and 8.73 mmHg, respectively. No significant changes were observed for MICE. HIIE was found to promote more acute effects than MICE on glycemia and BP in people with DM2.

Highlights

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) is a chronic metabolic condition characterized by high blood glucose levels due to impaired insulin sensitivity and associated with autonomic dysfunction, retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, and cardiovascular diseases, among other complications [1]
Given the controversies and the scarcity of studies investigating the acute effects of different high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) and moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) protocols in people with DM2, the objective of this study was to investigate and compare the acute effects of one session of different HIIE protocols and one session of MICE on the capillary blood glucose, blood pressure, and heart rate of people with DM2
HIIE, especially long HIIE, might promote the best clinical outcomes; it is associated with higher perceived effort, which can increase the risk of attrition and acute events

Summary

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) is a chronic metabolic condition characterized by high blood glucose levels due to impaired insulin sensitivity and associated with autonomic dysfunction, retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, and cardiovascular diseases, among other complications [1]. In this regard, cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death among people with diabetes mellitus [2]. Non-pharmacological treatments that involve lifestyle changes, such as regular physical exercise, are effective strategies for controlling and preventing DM2, leading to reductions in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, blood glycemia [4,5], and BP [6]; increases in insulin sensitivity [7] and cardiorespiratory fitness [8]; and improved lipid profile [9].

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Conclusion