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

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cardiometabolic health-related outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and concurrent overweight/obesity (diabesity). Design Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)....

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Main Authors: Sameer Badri Al-Mhanna, Eric Tsz-Chun Poon, Barry A. Franklin, Mark A. Tarnopolsky, John A. Hawley, John M. Jakicic, Emmanuel Stamatakis, Jonathan P. Little, Linda S. Pescatello, Deborah Riebe, Walter R. Thompson, James S. Skinner, Sheri R. Colberg, Jonathan K. Ehrman, George S. Metsios, Helen T. Douda, Norsuhana Omar, Abdullah F. Alghannam, Alexios Batrakoulis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-025-01909-z
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author Sameer Badri Al-Mhanna
Eric Tsz-Chun Poon
Barry A. Franklin
Mark A. Tarnopolsky
John A. Hawley
John M. Jakicic
Emmanuel Stamatakis
Jonathan P. Little
Linda S. Pescatello
Deborah Riebe
Walter R. Thompson
James S. Skinner
Sheri R. Colberg
Jonathan K. Ehrman
George S. Metsios
Helen T. Douda
Norsuhana Omar
Abdullah F. Alghannam
Alexios Batrakoulis
author_facet Sameer Badri Al-Mhanna
Eric Tsz-Chun Poon
Barry A. Franklin
Mark A. Tarnopolsky
John A. Hawley
John M. Jakicic
Emmanuel Stamatakis
Jonathan P. Little
Linda S. Pescatello
Deborah Riebe
Walter R. Thompson
James S. Skinner
Sheri R. Colberg
Jonathan K. Ehrman
George S. Metsios
Helen T. Douda
Norsuhana Omar
Abdullah F. Alghannam
Alexios Batrakoulis
author_sort Sameer Badri Al-Mhanna
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective To evaluate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cardiometabolic health-related outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and concurrent overweight/obesity (diabesity). Design Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data sources PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched from inception up to January 31, 2025. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies RCTs comparing HIIT alone ≥ 2 weeks in duration with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). Participants were adults with diabesity. Results A total of 26 RCTs qualified, involving 790 patients (50/50 female/male ratio; age: 59.8 ± 12.9 years; body mass index: 28.9 ± 4.2 kg/m2). 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. Other clinically relevant cardiometabolic outcomes, including body composition, lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and blood pressure, showed comparable changes between HIIT and MICT. Subgroup analyses of studies reporting comorbidities indicated a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (SMD 0.49, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.95) and a decrease in HOMA-IR (SMD − 0.83, 95% CI − 1.62 to − 0.04) for HIIT compared to MICT. However, these findings are limited by very low certainty evidence and non-robust sensitivity analyses. Conclusions The present findings suggest that HIIT may serve as an adjunctive non-pharmaceutical management solution for patients with diabesity. Open Science Framework registry: https://osf.io/9by24
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publishDate 2025-08-01
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series Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome
spelling doaj-art-c163062b6a264d52b86a4bd7d3e8d1a92025-08-20T03:46:23ZengBMCDiabetology & Metabolic Syndrome1758-59962025-08-0117112010.1186/s13098-025-01909-zComparative 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 trialsSameer Badri Al-Mhanna0Eric Tsz-Chun Poon1Barry A. Franklin2Mark A. Tarnopolsky3John A. Hawley4John M. Jakicic5Emmanuel Stamatakis6Jonathan P. Little7Linda S. Pescatello8Deborah Riebe9Walter R. Thompson10James S. Skinner11Sheri R. Colberg12Jonathan K. Ehrman13George S. Metsios14Helen T. Douda15Norsuhana Omar16Abdullah F. Alghannam17Alexios Batrakoulis18Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical SciencesDepartment of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong KongPreventive Cardiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation, Corewell Health William Beaumont University HospitalDepartment of Pediatrics, McMaster UniversityExercise and Nutrition Research Program, The Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic UniversityDepartment of Internal Medicine, Division of Physical Activity and Weight Management, Medical Center, University of KansasMackenzie Wearables Research Hub, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of SydneySchool of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British ColumbiaDepartment of Kinesiology, University of ConnecticutCollege of Health Sciences, University of Rhode IslandCollege of Education and Human Development, Georgia State UniversityDepartment of Kinesiology, Indiana University BloomingtonHuman Movement Sciences Department, Old Dominion UniversityDivision of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Henry Ford HealthDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of ThessalyDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Occupational Therapy, Democritus University of ThraceDepartment of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains MalaysiaLifestyle and Health Research Center, Health Sciences Research Center, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman, UniversityDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Occupational Therapy, Democritus University of ThraceAbstract Objective To evaluate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cardiometabolic health-related outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and concurrent overweight/obesity (diabesity). Design Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data sources PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched from inception up to January 31, 2025. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies RCTs comparing HIIT alone ≥ 2 weeks in duration with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). Participants were adults with diabesity. Results A total of 26 RCTs qualified, involving 790 patients (50/50 female/male ratio; age: 59.8 ± 12.9 years; body mass index: 28.9 ± 4.2 kg/m2). 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. Other clinically relevant cardiometabolic outcomes, including body composition, lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and blood pressure, showed comparable changes between HIIT and MICT. Subgroup analyses of studies reporting comorbidities indicated a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (SMD 0.49, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.95) and a decrease in HOMA-IR (SMD − 0.83, 95% CI − 1.62 to − 0.04) for HIIT compared to MICT. However, these findings are limited by very low certainty evidence and non-robust sensitivity analyses. Conclusions The present findings suggest that HIIT may serve as an adjunctive non-pharmaceutical management solution for patients with diabesity. Open Science Framework registry: https://osf.io/9by24https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-025-01909-zExerciseIntermittent trainingMetabolic syndromeBody compositionBlood pressureGlucose metabolism
spellingShingle Sameer Badri Al-Mhanna
Eric Tsz-Chun Poon
Barry A. Franklin
Mark A. Tarnopolsky
John A. Hawley
John M. Jakicic
Emmanuel Stamatakis
Jonathan P. Little
Linda S. Pescatello
Deborah Riebe
Walter R. Thompson
James S. Skinner
Sheri R. Colberg
Jonathan K. Ehrman
George S. Metsios
Helen T. Douda
Norsuhana Omar
Abdullah F. Alghannam
Alexios Batrakoulis
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
Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome
Exercise
Intermittent training
Metabolic syndrome
Body composition
Blood pressure
Glucose metabolism
title 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
title_full 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
title_fullStr 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
title_full_unstemmed 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
title_short 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
title_sort 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
topic Exercise
Intermittent training
Metabolic syndrome
Body composition
Blood pressure
Glucose metabolism
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-025-01909-z
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