Effects of concurrent aerobic and strength training in patients with type 2 diabetes: Bayesian pairwise and...

This study aimed to investigate the effects of concurrent aerobic and strength training (CT) in patients with type 2 diabetes and determine the most effective dose of CT. From the inception of the databases to March 2024, we conducted a systematic search of four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on CT intervention in patients with type 2 diabetes. Two independent authors assessed the risk of bias of the study using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tools. Results analyzed included glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), body mass index, body fat percentage, blood pressure, and VO₂max. Pairwise and dose-response meta-analyses using Bayesian hierarchical random-effects modeling were performed to analyze the effects of CT in patients with type 2 diabetes. From the inception of the databases to March 2024, we conducted a systematic search of four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on CT intervention in patients with type 2 diabetes. Two independent authors assessed the risk of bias of the study using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tools. Results analyzed included glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), body mass index, body fat percentage, blood pressure, and VO₂max. Pairwise and dose-response meta-analyses using Bayesian hierarchical random-effects modeling were performed to analyze the effects of CT in patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 1948 participants (935 males) were included in 23 RCTs. The male/female ratio of participants was 52/48; the mean age range was 50-65 years. The results show that CT significantly reduced HbA1c levels (MD=-0.48%, 95% CrI: -0.55 to -0.40), with some heterogeneity among different levels (SD=0.31, 95% CrI: 0.17 to 0.51), and the model converged well. Similarly, FBG levels were also significantly improved (MD=-0.48 mmol/L, 95% CrI: -0.55 to -0.40), with greater heterogeneity (SD=17.73, 95% CrI: 11.23 to 28.09). Additionally, we found a non-linear dose-response relationship between CT and HbA1c levels, with an optimal dose of 1030 METs-min/week (MD=-0.47%, 95% CrI: -0.68 to -0.26, SE=0.11). CT significantly improves several health indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes. A non-linear dose-response relationship was observed between the training dose of CT and HbA1c, and it is recommended that 270 min of moderate-intensity CT or 160 min of vigorous-intensity CT be performed weekly.PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024547119.Keywords: meta-analysis; concurrent aerobic and strength training.