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Aquatic exercise for adults with type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis
Jordan L Rees1,2, Steven T Johnson2,3, Normand G Boulé4,5
1Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, 1-052 Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Research Innovation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E1, Canada.
Acta Diabetologica
|July 11, 2017
Summary
Aquatic exercise (AquaEx) can reduce glycated hemoglobin (A1c) in adults with type 2 diabetes. While AquaEx showed improvements compared to no exercise, it did not differ significantly from land-based exercise (LandEx).
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Metabolic Health
- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Management
Background:
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global health concern requiring effective management strategies.
- Glycemic control, particularly glycated hemoglobin (A1c), is a key indicator for T2DM prognosis.
- Aquatic exercise (AquaEx) presents a low-impact alternative for physical activity in various populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the effects of AquaEx on glycemic control indicators (A1c, fasting plasma glucose) in adults with T2DM.
- To compare the efficacy of AquaEx against land-based exercise (LandEx) and non-exercise control (Ctrl).
- To test the hypothesis that AquaEx improves glycemic control similarly to LandEx and superiorly to Ctrl.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search conducted in February 2017 for T2DM and AquaEx studies.
- Inclusion criteria required assessment of glycemic control; secondary outcomes like quality of life were optional.
- Data analyzed using weighted mean differences (WMDs) and fixed-effect models for outcomes measured before and after ≥8 weeks of AquaEx.
Main Results:
- Nine trials with 222 participants were included.
- No significant difference in A1c was found between AquaEx and LandEx (WMD = -0.02%).
- AquaEx significantly reduced A1c compared to Ctrl (WMD = -0.96%) and from baseline (WMD = -0.48%).
Conclusions:
- Eight to twelve weeks of AquaEx can effectively reduce A1c levels in adults with T2DM.
- Current evidence suggests AquaEx is comparable to LandEx for A1c reduction.
- Further research is needed to definitively compare A1c changes between AquaEx, LandEx, and Ctrl groups.
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