Key result
Aerobic exercise lowers systolic blood pressure ~9 mmHg more in females than in males.
Why the study?
Females with T2D face higher cardiovascular risk than males, but sex-segregated evidence on the feasibility of aerobic training in adults with T2D is limited.
Does aerobic exercise training exhibit sex-specific differences in feasibility and cardiometabolic responses among adults with type 2 diabetes?
RCT (n=35)
Blinded study investigator
Computer-generated simple random allocation sequence
No
Does aerobic exercise training exhibit sex-specific differences in feasibility and cardiometabolic responses among adults with type 2 diabetes?
Mean Difference: 9 (95% CI 3–15)
p-value: p=0.011
Although trial recruitment and exercise adherence may be more challenging for females with type 2 diabetes, they appear to derive greater vascular benefits from aerobic training than their male counterparts.
Supports sex-specific aerobic exercise recommendations in T2D for BP control; extends RCT evidence on differential vascular responses.
Females with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have a 25–50% greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared with males. While aerobic exercise training is effective for improving cardiometabolic health outcomes, there is limited sex-segregated evidence on the feasibility of aerobic training in adults with T2D. A secondary analysis of a 12-week randomized controlled trial examining aerobic training in inactive adults with T2D was conducted. Feasibility outcomes were recruitment, retention, treatment fidelity, and safety. Sex differences and intervention effects were assessed using two-way analyses of variances. Thirty-five participants (14 females) were recruited. The recruitment rate was significantly lower among females (9% versus 18%; p = 0.022). Females in the intervention were less adherent (50% versus 93%; p = 0.016), and experienced minor adverse events more frequently (0.08% versus 0.03%; p = 0.003). Aerobically trained females experienced clinically meaningful reductions in pulse wave velocity (−1.25 m/s, 95%CI [−2.54, 0.04]; p = 0.648), and significantly greater reductions in brachial systolic pressure (−9 mmHg, 95%CI (3, 15); p = 0.011) and waist circumference (−3.8 cm, 95%CI (1.6, 6.1); p < 0.001) than males. To enhance the feasibility of future trials, targeted strategies to improve female recruitment and adherence are needed. Females with T2D may experience greater cardiometabolic health improvements from aerobic training than males.
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O'Gorman et al. (2023) conducted an RCT in Type 2 diabetes (n=35). Aerobic exercise training vs. Placebo exercise control (fortnightly stretching and low-intensity cycling) was evaluated on Difference in brachial systolic pressure reduction (females vs males) (9 mmHg greater reduction, 95% CI 3, 15, p=0.011). Aerobic exercise training resulted in a 9 mmHg greater reduction in brachial systolic pressure in females compared to males, despite females having lower study recruitment and adherence rates.
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