Effects of two Exercise Modalities of Sprint Interval Training and Combined Training (Strength-Aerobic) on Serum Apelin levels and Insulin Resistance in Women with Type 2 Diabetes

Introduction: Exercise activity is an effective treatment tool for the management of patients with type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of combined and Sprint Interval Training (SIT) on serum apelin levels and insulin resistance in females with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Fifty-two overweight females with type 2 diabetes (aged 45 to 60 years old, BMI > 30) with HbA1C value of 6.5% were assessed for eligibility. Participants were assigned to the SIT group (n = 17), combined training group (n = 17), and control group (n = 18), according to HbA1c levels. The exercises included 12 weeks of combined training and SIT. To determine the differences between groups, a statistical analysis of covariance and a meaningful LSD test were used to determine the difference between the groups. Results: Difference was significant for fasting blood glucose in the SIT groups (P < 0.001). Serum insulin levels showed significant increases in the SIT (P < 0.001) and Com (P = 0.001). Changes in apelin were not significantly different within SIT and combined training groups (P = 0.13 and P = 0.09, respectively). The data showed significant differences in insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) in SIT (P < 0.001) and Com (P = 0.008). Furthermore, the ANCOVA test showed that there were no significant differences in fasting blood glucose concentrations (F = 1.853, P = 0.171) regarding apelin (F = 0.511, P = 0.12) yet, significant differences were seen between groups in insulin (F = 3.622, P = 0.036), and HOMA-IR (F = 5.511, P = 0.008). Conclusions: Exercise training, independent of mode of training, is an effective training method to improve glycemic control in females with type 2 diabetes.