The effect of supervised high-intensity interval training on physical fitness of elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the effect of supervised high-intensity interval training(HIIT)on physical fitness of elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:In a prospective randomized controlled study, 47 elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were randomized into either the HIIT group(n=24)or the control group(n=23). All HIIT sessions were conducted under supervision once every other day for 10 weeks.Each session included 40 cycles that consisted of high-intensity training(resting oxygen consumption + 80% oxygen consumption reserve)for 30 seconds and low-intensity training(resting oxygen consumption + 50% oxygen consumption reserve)for 30 seconds.Cardiopulmonary exercise testing, bioelectric impedance analysis and homeostasis model assessment-2(HOMA-2)were used for the measurement of physical fitness, body composition and insulin sensitivity(HOMA-2 IS)before and after intervention. Results:After 10 weeks, peak oxygen uptake(23.6±4.1 ml·kg -1·min -1vs.21.0±4.6 ml·kg -1·min -1, P<0.05), oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold(14.1±1.6 ml·kg -1·min -1vs.12.1±2.3 ml·kg -1·min -1, P<0.01), oxygen pulse at the anaerobic threshold(10.7±2.6 ml/min vs.(9.3±1.9)ml/min, P<0.05)and Ln(100·HOMA-2 IS)(4.6±0.4 vs.4.2±0.5, P<0.01)improved in the HIIT group more than in the control group.There were no significant differences in body composition between the two groups( P>0.05). After adjusting for age and body mass index, there was a linear correlation between peak oxygen uptake and Ln(100·HOMA-2 IS)at baseline( r=0.376, P<0.05), but not between changes in peak oxygen uptake and changes in Ln(100·HOMA-2 IS)( r= 0.05, P>0.05). Conclusions:Ten-week HIIT can improve physical fitness of elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.The benefit comes not only from improvement of insulin sensitivity but also from enhancement of heart function.