Effects of concurrent continuous aerobic and short rest resistance exercise training on metabolic biomarkers in type 2 diabetes patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate the impact of a 12-week concurrent training program combining continuous aerobic exercise and short-rest resistance training on metabolic biomarkers in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients through a meta-analysis of the available evidence. Methods: A literature search was performed in Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct and Cochrane covering databases for relevant randomized controlled trials, and studies were included and individually assessed according to the Cochrane risk of bias tool in the Cochrane Systematic Assessor’s Handbook. The data were analysed via Stata version 17 analysis software to analyse and process the data. Results: A comprehensive review and analysis were conducted on 11 carefully selected articles, encompassing a total of 438 participants across both the experimental and control groups. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that concurrent training combining continuous aerobic exercise and a short-rest resistance training program reduced HbA1c (SMD = − 0.53, 95% CI = [− 0.98, − 0.07], P = 0.03; HOMA-IR (SMD = − 0.80, 95% CI = [− 1.24, − 0.35], P < 0.001); HDL-C (SMD = 0.30, 95% CI = [0.03, 0.57], P = 0.03); TG (SMD = -0.78, 95% CI = [-1.33, -0.23], P = 0.01); and TC (SMD = -0.37, 95% CI = [-0.63, -0.10], P = 0.01) in type 2 diabetes patients. Conclusion: These findings provide strong evidence supporting the beneficial effects of 12 weeks of continuous aerobic exercise combined with short-rest resistance training within the same session on metabolic health markers such as HbA1c, HOMA-IR, HDL-C, TG and TC in individuals with T2DM. The review underscores the need for additional randomized controlled trials to investigate optimal exercise sequencing, extended intervention durations, and better control of confounding variables to deepen our understanding of the efficacy of concurrent training in this population.