Exercise therapy shows benefits for type 2 diabetes management, but adherence challenges persist

A systematic review synthesized evidence from recent meta-analyses and emerging research on exercise therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes. The review examined various exercise modalities including high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and concurrent training (combining aerobic and resistance exercise), though specific comparator details, sample sizes, and study settings were not reported.

The review found HIIT yields superior reductions in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), while concurrent training provides the most comprehensive metabolic and physiological benefits. These benefits include improvements in glycemic control, cardiovascular function, quality of life, cardiorespiratory fitness, and chronic inflammation. However, the review does not provide specific effect sizes, absolute numbers, confidence intervals, or p-values for these outcomes.

Safety and tolerability data were not reported in the review. A key limitation identified is that long-term patient adherence remains a significant barrier to sustained effectiveness in real-world settings. The review suggests an optimal physical activity dose of approximately 1100 MET-min/week but notes this is suggested rather than definitively proven.

For practice, exercise therapy remains a recognized cornerstone in type 2 diabetes management. Future strategies should prioritize behavioral innovations to improve adherence and explore synergistic effects with pharmacological treatments. Clinicians should note this review synthesizes existing evidence rather than reporting new primary data.