The Effect of 8 Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Serum Adiponectin Levels and Insulin Resistance of Women with Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder specified by hyperglycemia following a defect in insulin secretion, insulin resistance or both. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on serum adiponectin levels and insulin resistance of women with type 2 diabetes. For this purpose, 35 overweight women with type 2 diabetes (age range 45-60 years, BMI 25-30 kg/m2) voluntarily participated in this study and were assigned to the HIIT training group (n=17) and control group (n=18). The HIIT group conducted their training on an ergometer for 8 weeks (3 sessions per week, 4-6 30-second repetitions with highest effort and 250% intensity with 4-min. rest intervals). The results of dependent t test showed a significant decrease in the mean scores of pretest and posttest of insulin resistance and body fat percentage in HIIT group and a significant increase in mean scores of serum adiponectin levels and maximal oxygen uptake (P0.05). It may be noted that 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with no changes in weight and body mass index could have positive effects on insulin resistance, fat percentage and adiponectin levels in women with type 2 diabetes.