Hormonal
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) significantly improves insulin sensitivity (fasting insulin and HOMA-IR) and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) compared to moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in patients with diabesity.
If you have type 2 diabetes and are overweight, High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) may offer better improvements in insulin sensitivity and heart health than steady-state moderate exercise. HIIT involves short bursts of effort exceeding 80% of your max heart rate. It is time-efficient and can be adapted to your fitness level, making it a viable option even if you have physical limitations.
HIIT revealed a significant reduction in fasting insulin [standardized mean differences (SMD) − 0.43, 95% CI − 0.82 to − 0.05] and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR; SMD − 0.52, 95% CI − 0.97 to − 0.07) compared to MICT. Additionally, HIIT significantly increased cardiorespiratory fitness (VO₂max; SMD 0.53, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.91) compared to MICT.
Why this rating
The study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs, but the authors explicitly note 'very low certainty evidence' due to non-robust sensitivity analyses.
Source
Comparative effectiveness of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on cardiometabolic health in patients with diabesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Sameer Badri Al-Mhanna et al. · Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome · 2025
DOI 10.1186/s13098-025-01909-z
More from this paper
- HIIT and MICT produce comparable changes in body composition, lipid profiles, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and blood pressure in patients with diabesity.Limited
- In patients with diabesity who have comorbidities, HIIT may significantly increase HDL cholesterol and further reduce HOMA-IR compared to MICT.Limited
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