Effects of structured Aerobic Exercise on selected clinical profiles of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review with meta-analysis

This review sought to examine the pooled effects of Aerobic Exercise (AeroEx) on the glycemic, lipid, cardiovascular, and anthropometric profiles as well as the quality of life (QoL) of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Major electronic databases were searched systematically to identify randomized controlled studies that examined the effects of AeroEx in with T2DM. The methodological quality of each study was evaluated using the PEDro scale. Meta-analysis was performed on a given outcome when appropriate. Twelve trials fulfilled the selection criteria. Most of the studies prescribed AeroEx using treadmill (41.7%) or cycle ergometer (58.3%), at a moderate training intensity (58.3%) for ≥3 days/week (100%), 41–60 min/day (66.7%) and for ≥16 weeks (41.6%). Meta-analysis showed a significant effect on glycemic profiles (glycated hemoglobin [SMD = –2.06; CI = –2.34, –1.79], fasting blood glucose [SMD = –1.20; CI = –1.45, –0.95]), lipid profiles (total cholesterol [SMD = –1.35; CI = –1.58, –1.12], low-density lipoprotein [LDL] [SMD = –0.67; CI = –1.22, –0.12]), cardiovascular profiles (maximum oxygen consumption [SMD = 0.58; CI = 0.20, 0.96], diastolic blood pressure [SMD = –0.40; CI = –0.60, –0.21]), anthropometric profiles (percentage body fat [SMD = –1.09; CI = –1.37, –0.82], BMI [SMD = –1.81; CI = –2.16, –0.87]) and QoL (SMD = 2.23; CI = 1.56, 2.90) in favor of AeroEx. In conclusion, chronic AeroEx with moderate intensity induces glycemic control, regulates the lipid profiles, promotes cardiovascular health, and improves overall QoL of patients with T2DM.