Comparative Effect of interval, continuous, and combined aerobic exercise on cardiovascular disease risk factors in Type 2 Diabetic patients with fatty liver

Changes differences in cardiovascular risk factors, especially fat variables in type 2 diabetic patients with fatty liver due to exercise further highlight the need for more research. The best type of aerobic exercise that has the most impact is still unknown. The aim of the current study was to investigate and compare the effects of interval, continuous, and combined aerobic exercise training on cardiovascular disease risk factors in type 2 diabetic patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver.

In an experimental study, 40 women with type 2 diabetes with non-alcoholic liver were randomly assigned to four groups: interval aerobic exercise groups (75-80% of maximum heart rate) each session for 30-40 minutes, continuous aerobic exercise group (60-75% of maximum heart rate) each session for 25-30 minutes, combined exercise group (interval and continuous), and control group (without regular exercise). The exercise training groups performed exercises by cycle ergometer for eight weeks, three days a week. For analysis and comparison between the groups, Covariance test was used. The t-dependent test was used for intra-group compression (α≤0.05).

Changes in hip circumference, waist circumference, BMI, and fasting blood glucose were significant in all three training groups (p≤0.05). In the continuous aerobic exercise group, in addition to the above mentioned factors, changes in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significant (p≤0.05). Also, the changes in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significant in the interval aerobic exercise group (p≤0.05). In the combined exercise group, the increase in HDL cholesterol was also significant (p≤0.05). In control group, none of the variables was significant. Changes in hip circumference and body mass index were significant in comparison with the control group with the continuous group, the interval group, and the combined group (p≤0.05).

More variables were improved in the interval aerobic exercise group. Also, the rate of improvement in this group was higher than those in the other groups. As a result, interval aerobic exercise was found to have the greatest impact on improving cardiovascular risk factors.