Study on aqua aerobics & combined training for type 2 diabetes

The aim of the study from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul was to compare the effects of aquatic aerobic training and combined (aerobic and more resistance) training on glycemic control and other cardiometabolic outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Patients were randomized into three groups: an aquatic aerobic exercise training group (AERO, n = 19; 57.5 [7.4] years; 9 [47%] women), an aquatic combined exercise training group (COMBI, n = 19; 60.9 [7.4] years; 10 [53%] women), and an active practice control group (n = 19; 58.6 [9.7] years; 10 [53%] women). Each group completed 3 sessions per week (50 minutes each) for 15 weeks. The primary endpoint was glycosylated hemoglobin, while secondary endpoints were insulin resistance markers, lipid profile, systemic inflammation, renin concentration, blood pressure, physical activity, and sitting time.

Glycosylated hemoglobin was reduced in all groups (P = 0.021), although the changes were more pronounced in the AERO (-0.36%) and COMBI (-0.44%) than in the active control group (-0.26%). The lipid profile was changed similarly in all groups. Diastolic blood pressure and renin concentration were also reduced in all groups, with a greater reduction in renin concentration in the AERO (-17.7 uIU/mL) and COMBI (-15.1 uIU/mL) groups than in the control group (0.2 uIU/mL). Fasting insulin levels, triglycerides, C-reactive protein, systolic blood pressure, walking time and sitting time on weekends were not changed.

Both AERO and COMBI resulted in similar improvements in glycemic control and some cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.