What does this research mean for the field?

A 12-week combined aerobic and resistance training program improves cardiovascular risk factors, strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness but does not significantly alter heart rate variability indices in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess the effects of a 12-week combined aerobic and resistance training program on heart rate variability parameters, cardiovascular risk factors, and physical fitness in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

October 11, 2026International Research Journal of PharmacyOpen Access

The effects of aerobic and resistance training on HRV parameters in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Combined aerobic and resistance training over 12 weeks did not significantly alter heart rate variability parameters in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus compared to controls.

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: RCT. Population: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=100). Intervention: Combined aerobic and resistance training vs. Usual lifestyle. Primary outcome: Heart rate variability (HRV) indices (SDNN, rMSSD, LF, HF, LF/HF ratio).

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Key result

Combined exercise training fails to improve heart rate variability in patients with type 2 diabetes.

n=100

Why the study?

Exercise training is recognized as a potential modulator of HRV in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, a condition often associated with impaired autonomic function.

Does a combined aerobic and resistance exercise training program improve heart rate variability parameters in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus?

Key Points

To assess the effects of a 12-week combined aerobic and resistance training program on heart rate variability parameters, cardiovascular risk factors, and physical fitness in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Randomized trial allocating 100 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus into an exercise group or a control group.
The exercise group completed a supervised 12-week program combining aerobic and resistance training three times weekly.
Evaluations at baseline and post-intervention measured anthropometric indices, blood pressure, resting heart rate, physical fitness outcomes, and heart rate variability parameters.
No statistically significant changes occurred in heart rate variability indices (SDNN, rMSSD, LF, HF, or LF/HF) between groups after 12 weeks.
The exercise group demonstrated significant reductions in body weight (58.1 ± 8.8 to 54.2 ± 9.1 kg, p=0.0327), body fat percentage (32.2 ± 8.1 to 30.4 ± 7.9%, p=0.0402), systolic blood pressure (136.2 ± 23.2 to 127.3 ± 31.3 mmHg, p=0.020), and diastolic blood pressure (77.1 ± 21.1 to 70.3 ± 19.1 mmHg, p=0.0445).
Significant physical fitness gains occurred in the exercise group, including increases in VO₂max (21.4 ± 2.2 to 22.6 ± 2.6 ml/kg/min, p=0.0144) and grip strength (23.5 ± 2.6 to 26.6 ± 2.1 kg, p=0.0001), with no significant changes observed in controls.

Study Design

Type

RCT (n=100)

Randomization

Randomized

Structured PICO

Does a combined aerobic and resistance exercise training program improve heart rate variability parameters in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus?

Population

100 individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus randomized to a 12-week structured exercise program or usual lifestyle control.

Intervention

Supervised 12-week program comprising combined aerobic (30 mins treadmill walking at 60% of heart rate reserve) and resistance training (two sets of 8-12 repetitions across nine machine-based exercises at 60-80% of 1-RM), performed three times weekly

Comparator

Control group continuing with their usual lifestyle without participating in structured exercise

Outcome

Heart rate variability (HRV) parameters (SDNN, rMSSD, LF, HF, and LF/HF ratio)surrogate

A 12-week combined aerobic and resistance training program significantly improved physical fitness and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes, but did not alter heart rate variability indices.

Limitations

12-week intervention duration may be too short for significant autonomic adaptations to emerge
Lifestyle confounders such as sleep and nutrition were not fully controlled
Relatively normal baseline HRV values in participants could have created a ceiling effect
Short intervention duration
Small sample size
Uncontrolled lifestyle confounders such as sleep and nutrition
Relatively normal baseline HRV values in participants creating a potential ceiling effect

Implication

12-week combined training does not alter HRV in T2DM; leaves open whether longer interventions affect autonomic function.

Abstract

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive marker of autonomic nervous system (ANS) function and cardiovascular health, reflecting beat-to-beat fluctuations in heart rate. Exercise training is recognized as a potential modulator of HRV, particularly in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a condition often associated with impaired autonomic function. Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of aerobic and resistance training on HRV parameters in individuals with T2DM over a 12-week period. Methods: A total of 100 participants with T2DM were randomized into either an exercise group or a control group. Baseline and post-intervention assessments included anthropometric parameters (height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage), hemodynamic measures (blood pressure, resting heart rate), and HRV indices. Physical fitness outcomes, including handgrip strength, leg strength, maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), and muscle endurance, were also evaluated. The exercise group underwent a supervised 12-week program comprising combined aerobic and resistance training, performed three times weekly. Results: Compared with controls, participants in the exercise group demonstrated significant reductions in body weight, waist circumference, body fat percentage, and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05). Improvements were also observed in VO₂max, handgrip strength, and bilateral leg strength. However, no statistically significant changes in HRV indices were detected between groups after 12 weeks. Conclusion: While combined aerobic and resistance training improved cardiovascular risk factors, muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness in individuals with T2DM, it did not significantly alter HRV parameters within the study period. Larger and longer-term studies are warranted to further clarify the impact of structured exercise on autonomic regulation in this population and to explore the role of individualized training regimens for optimizing health outcomes.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Kumar et al. (2025) conducted an RCT in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=100). Combined aerobic and resistance training vs. Usual lifestyle was evaluated on Heart rate variability (HRV) indices (SDNN, rMSSD, LF, HF, LF/HF ratio). Combined aerobic and resistance training over 12 weeks did not significantly alter heart rate variability parameters in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus compared to controls.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6acae65a082e6266f39bf5fb https://doi.org/10.56802/n7m4ce15

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Implication

12-week combined training does not alter HRV in T2DM; leaves open whether longer interventions affect autonomic function.

The effects of aerobic and resistance training on HRV parameters in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

The effects of aerobic and resistance training on HRV parameters in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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