The effect of 8 weeks interval training on insulin resistance and lipid profiles in type 2 diabetic men treated with metformin

Type2 diabetic is a metabolic disease in which is associated with the relative or absolute insulin deficiency, elevated blood glucose and impaired metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and protein. Since fat and exercise is important to improve glycemic control in diabetic patients, so the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of interval training on a cycle ergometer on insulin resistance and lipid profiles in type 2 diabetic men taking metformin. 36 subjects with type 2 diabetes taking metformin (mean age, 46.08 ± 3.08 years, BMI 30.01 ± 2.32 kg/m2) were selected availability and divided randomly into 2 groups of 18 patients of the interval training group (8 weeks interval training, 3 days a week, 35 to 50 minutes a day,40-55% heart rate reserve) and control group. The fasting values of TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, insulin, glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin were measured before and after 8 weeks of exercise. The data were analyzed at the significance level of α ≥0.05 by Kolmogorov – Smirnov test, analysis of variance with repeated measures and single T-test. The results showed serum values of insulin, glucose, TG, TC, LDL-C, glycosylated hemoglobin and insulin resistance significantly reduced in the interval training group(p≥0.05), but these changes were not significant in the control group(p≤0.05). Also the HDL-C values was associated with a non-significant increase in the experimental group(p≤0.05). So, according to the favorable changes of insulin resistance index, glycosylated hemoglobin and blood fats as a result of interval training on a cycle ergometer, it seems to this type of training could be introduced as a non-invasive and drug-free method for type2 diabetic individuals.