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Sequences of Aerobic and Resistance Exercise and Cardio-metabolic Functions in T2D

Sequences of Aerobic and Resistance Exercise in Training and Their Effects on Cardio-metabolic Functions Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients - a Randomized Study

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06145542
Acronym
ARRA
Enrollment
56
Registered
2023-11-24
Start date
2023-09-25
Completion date
2024-07-02
Last updated
2025-04-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Type 2 Diabetes

Keywords

aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, exercise order, glycemic control

Brief summary

Aerobic exercise and resistance exercise are two types of exercise commonly used in physical conditioning. Compared to aerobic exercise, a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise has been linked to a greater reduction in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, it is not clear that in a concurrent aerobic-resistance training session, whether the orders of the two types of exercise could act differently in glucose metabolism. This randomized trial aims to investigate the effect of the sequence of exercise modalities (aerobic-resistance vs resistance-aerobic in a training session) on glycemic control among T2D patients following an 8-wk intervention period.

Detailed description

Objectives: This randomized study aims to explore the effects of aerobic and resistance training sequences on glycemic control among type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients through an 8-wk combined aerobic and resistance exercise training program. Study Population: A total of 56 participants with T2D aged 50-70 years (sex ratio approximately 1:1) with a course of type 2 diabetes of more than one year are included. Participants are residents of Nanjing Municipality, Jiangsu Province, China. Participants are recruited from the outpatients at Maigaoqiao Community Health Service Center, Qixia District, Nanjing, China or through online advertisement published on the official social media (WeChat) channels of the Health Service Center. Randomization: Participants are stratified by baseline hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and age, they are randomly assigned into two groups with a block size of 4. The study groups are: 1) aerobic before resistance training (AR group, n=28); 2) resistance before aerobic training (RA group, n=28). Exercises intervention program: Exercised program is designed to take place three times a week for a total of eight weeks. Exercise intervention is scheduled for approximately 70 minutes per session (30 minutes of aerobic and 30 minutes of resistance, no break between two types, 5-min of preparation and 5-min relaxation stretching movements before and after each intervention), performed between 8:00 to 11:00 or between 14:00 to 16:30, Monday through Saturday. Target heart rate during aerobic exercise is set as resting heart rate (HR) + 40%-70% of heart rate reserve (HRR). Participants' HRR was calculated based on their resting HR and maximum heart rate (HRmax=208-0.7×age) as HRmax - HR. Heart rate monitors (OH1, Polar Oy, Oulu, Finland) are used during all exercise sessions to track exercise intensity and ensure that it remained within the specified range. Aerobic exercise is performed on bicycle ergometers for a continuous 30 minutes with a progressive intensity of 40%-70% HRR. Resistance level is set according to an adaptive training prior to the first intervention, pedal cadences are 50-60r/min. Resistance exercise is conducted using a set of equipment including chest press/ row, leg extension/ curl, abdominal/ back, biceps/ triceps, inner/ outer thigh, and push/ pull machines. Prior to conducting the 1 repetition maximum (RM) testing for the major muscles of the upper and lower limbs, all participants receive proper instructions on how to use the equipment. The Brzycki 1-RM prediction equation is used to estimate the 1RM based on the recorded resistance and repetitions. All participants performe resistance exercise with a weight of 60%-80% 1RM. Movements on each machine are repeated 10-12 times per unit for a total of 4 units, with a-30 second break between units. In all intervention sessions, participants in AR group complete aerobic exercise before starting resistance exercise, while participants in RA group performe two types of exercise in a reversed order. Participants are instructed to maintain their usual lifestyle but refrain from engaging in other forms of regular exercise throughout the intervention period.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALAR group: aerobic training before resistance training

Exercise are performed 3 times/wk for 8 wks. Aerobic training sessions are performed using cycle ergometers. Riding speed is 55-60 rotations/min, at an intensity between 50%-75% of heart rate reserve (HRR). Real-time heart rate monitors are worn by each participant during the session. Aerobic training session lasts for 30 minutes, with an additional 5-minute warm-up and 5-min relaxation training before and after the session, respectively. Participants perform resistance exercise on a set of strength training equipment. Load of resistance exercise is between 60-80% of repetition maximum (RM) in each set of exercise. Six different groups of resistance exercise (involving contractions and relaxations of biceps, triceps, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, quadriceps, and hamstrings) are conducted, with 6 sets of 10 repeated tasks in each group. Participants are instructed to finish each set of exercise task within 60 seconds. Between each two sets, there are 60 s of rest time.

BEHAVIORALRA group: resistance exercise before aerobic exercise

Exercise are performed 3 times/wk for 8 wks. Following a 5-min warm-up exercise, the participants perform resistance training on a set of equipment. Load of resistance exercise is set between 60-80% of repetition maximum in each set of exercise. Six different groups of resistance exercise (involving contractions and relaxations of biceps, triceps, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, quadriceps, and hamstrings) are conducted, with 6 sets of 10 repeated tasks in each group. Participants are instructed to finish each set of exercise task within 60 s. Between each two sets, there are 60 seconds of rest time. Aerobic training sessions are performed using cycle ergometers. Riding speed is 55-60 rotations/min, at an intensity between 50%-75% of heart rate reserve. Real-time heart rate monitors are worn during the entire session. Each aerobic training session lasts for 30 minutes, with an 5-minute relaxation training after the session.

Sponsors

Nanjing Sport Institute
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Karolinska Institutet
CollaboratorOTHER
Zhejiang University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
50 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age 50-70 years; * Type 2 diabetes diagnosed as: random blood glucose ≥11.1mmol/L (200mg/dL) or fasting blood glucose ≥7.0mmol/L (126mg/L) or oral glucose tolerance test (2h) ≥11.1mmol/L (200mg/dL) or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 6.5%; * The course of type 2 diabetes lasted for one year or longer; * Willing to participate and sign the informed consent form voluntarily

Exclusion criteria

* Type 1 diabetes; * Fasting blood glucose (FBG)\>16.7mmol/L; * Severe complications of diabetes such as acute infection, diabetic ketoacidosis, and plantar lesions; * Severe kidney disease, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases as identified by a specialist; * Musculoskeletal, neurological, psychiatric or other disorders which limit the ability to exercise as identified by a specialist; * Doing physical exercise regularly (≥ 3 times per week, at least 1 hour per session of moderate to vigorous activities); * Currently under dietary program for weight loss; * Systolic blood pressure ≥160 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥100 mmHg at rest; * Abnormal electrocardiogram (rest and exercise); * Other comorbidities or medications irrelevant to diabetes treatment that may influence glycemia during the past 6 months

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Fasting Glucose at BaselineAt week 0, within 7 days before the intervention startsblood glucose level following overnight (12-h) fasting
Fasting Glucose at Follow-upAt week 9, within 7 days after the intervention completesblood glucose level following overnight (12-h) fasting
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at BaselineAt baseline, within 7 days before the intervention startsAt baseline, the HbA1c level in blood among all participants
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at Follow-upAt week 9, within 7 days after the completion of the 8-week interventionAfter intervention, the HbA1c level in blood among all participants
Continuous Glucose Monitoring at Baseline (Mean, sd, Lage)At baseline, within 14 days before the intervention starts, measurement lasts for 14 days (mean, sd, lage)At baseline, 14-day continuous glucose monitoring including mean, sd, cv, lage, tir, tar, tbr
Continuous Glucose Monitoring at Baseline (Coefficient of Variation)At baseline, within 14 days before the intervention starts, measurement lasts for 14 days (cv)At baseline, 14-day continuous glucose monitoring including mean glucose value, standard deviation (SD) of the glucose values, coefficient of variation (CV) of relative standard deviation, LAGE, TIR, TAR, TBR
Continuous Glucose Monitoring at Baseline (Tir, Tar, Tbr)At baseline, within 14 days before the intervention starts, measurement lasts for 14 days (tir, tar, tbr)At baseline, 14-day continuous glucose monitoring including mean, sd, cv, lage, tir, tar, tbr
Continuous Glucose Monitoring at Follow-up (Mean, sd, Lage)at week 8-9After intervention, 14-day continuous glucose monitoring including mean, sd, cv, lage, tir, tar, tbr
Continuous Glucose Monitoring at Follow-up (Coefficient of Variation)at week 8-9At baseline, 14-day continuous glucose monitoring including mean glucose value, standard deviation (SD) of the glucose values, coefficient of variation (CV) of relative standard deviation, LAGE, TIR, TAR, TBR
Continuous Glucose Monitoring at Follow-up (Tir, Tar, Tbr)at week 8-9After intervention, 14-day continuous glucose monitoring including mean, sd, cv, lage, tir, tar, tbr

Countries

China

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Participants were recruited in outpatient clinics or via online/printed advertisement delivered through the Maigaoqiao Community Health Service Center from Oct 1st, 2023 to Nov 3rd, 2023.

Pre-assignment details

The exclusion criteria included patients with T1D, diseases diagnosed by physicians that are unsuitable for exercise intervention, such as severe cardiovascular diseases, acute infections, musculoskeletal disorders, and other related conditions, patients who have regular physical activity habits (90min moderate intensity exercise or 75min high intensity exercise), and currently under dietary program for weight loss

Participants by arm

ArmCount
AR Group: Aerobic Exercise Before Resistance Exercise
AR group: aerobic training before resistance training: Exercise are performed 3 times/wk for 8 wks. Aerobic training sessions are performed using cycle ergometers. Riding speed is 55-60 rotations/min, at an intensity between 50%-75% of heart rate reserve (HRR). Real-time heart rate monitors are worn by each participant during the session. Aerobic training session lasts for 30 minutes, with an additional 5-minute warm-up and 5-min relaxation training before and after the session, respectively. Participants perform resistance exercise on a set of strength training equipment. Load of resistance exercise is between 60-80% of repetition maximum (RM) in each set of exercise. Six different groups of resistance exercise (involving contractions and relaxations of biceps, triceps, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, quadriceps, and hamstrings) are conducted, with 6 sets of 10 repeated tasks in each group. Participants are instructed to finish each set of exercise task within 60 seconds. Between each two sets, there are 60 s of rest time.
28
RA Group: Resistance Training Before Aerobic Training
RA group: resistance exercise before aerobic exercise: Exercise are performed 3 times/wk for 8 wks. Following a 5-min warm-up exercise, the participants perform resistance training on a set of equipment. Load of resistance exercise is set between 60-80% of repetition maximum in each set of exercise. Six different groups of resistance exercise (involving contractions and relaxations of biceps, triceps, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, quadriceps, and hamstrings) are conducted, with 6 sets of 10 repeated tasks in each group. Participants are instructed to finish each set of exercise task within 60 s. Between each two sets, there are 60 seconds of rest time. Aerobic training sessions are performed using cycle ergometers. Riding speed is 55-60 rotations/min, at an intensity between 50%-75% of heart rate reserve. Real-time heart rate monitors are worn during the entire session. Each aerobic training session lasts for 30 minutes, with an 5-minute relaxation training after the session.
28
Total56

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicRA Group: Resistance Training Before Aerobic TrainingTotalAR Group: Aerobic Exercise Before Resistance Exercise
Age, Continuous63.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.5
62.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.3
61.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.1
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected0 Participants
Region of Enrollment
China
28 participants56 participants28 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
14 Participants30 Participants16 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
14 Participants26 Participants12 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 280 / 28
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 280 / 28
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 280 / 28

Outcome results

Primary

Continuous Glucose Monitoring at Baseline (Coefficient of Variation)

At baseline, 14-day continuous glucose monitoring including mean glucose value, standard deviation (SD) of the glucose values, coefficient of variation (CV) of relative standard deviation, LAGE, TIR, TAR, TBR

Time frame: At baseline, within 14 days before the intervention starts, measurement lasts for 14 days (cv)

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
AR Group: Aerobic Exercise Before Resistance ExerciseContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Baseline (Coefficient of Variation)24.1 % of relative standard deviationStandard Deviation 5.6
RA Group: Resistance Training Before Aerobic TrainingContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Baseline (Coefficient of Variation)25.1 % of relative standard deviationStandard Deviation 3.9
Primary

Continuous Glucose Monitoring at Baseline (Mean, sd, Lage)

At baseline, 14-day continuous glucose monitoring including mean, sd, cv, lage, tir, tar, tbr

Time frame: At baseline, within 14 days before the intervention starts, measurement lasts for 14 days (mean, sd, lage)

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
AR Group: Aerobic Exercise Before Resistance ExerciseContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Baseline (Mean, sd, Lage)mean glucose8.7 mmol/LStandard Deviation 1.3
AR Group: Aerobic Exercise Before Resistance ExerciseContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Baseline (Mean, sd, Lage)standard deviation of blood glucose2.2 mmol/LStandard Deviation 0.7
AR Group: Aerobic Exercise Before Resistance ExerciseContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Baseline (Mean, sd, Lage)largest amplitude of glucose excursion8.7 mmol/LStandard Deviation 1.9
RA Group: Resistance Training Before Aerobic TrainingContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Baseline (Mean, sd, Lage)mean glucose8.1 mmol/LStandard Deviation 1.5
RA Group: Resistance Training Before Aerobic TrainingContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Baseline (Mean, sd, Lage)standard deviation of blood glucose2.1 mmol/LStandard Deviation 0.6
RA Group: Resistance Training Before Aerobic TrainingContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Baseline (Mean, sd, Lage)largest amplitude of glucose excursion8.3 mmol/LStandard Deviation 1.9
Primary

Continuous Glucose Monitoring at Baseline (Tir, Tar, Tbr)

At baseline, 14-day continuous glucose monitoring including mean, sd, cv, lage, tir, tar, tbr

Time frame: At baseline, within 14 days before the intervention starts, measurement lasts for 14 days (tir, tar, tbr)

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
AR Group: Aerobic Exercise Before Resistance ExerciseContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Baseline (Tir, Tar, Tbr)time in range72.3 % of measurement timeStandard Deviation 18.8
AR Group: Aerobic Exercise Before Resistance ExerciseContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Baseline (Tir, Tar, Tbr)time above range33.6 % of measurement timeStandard Deviation 26.4
AR Group: Aerobic Exercise Before Resistance ExerciseContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Baseline (Tir, Tar, Tbr)time below range0.4 % of measurement timeStandard Deviation 1.1
RA Group: Resistance Training Before Aerobic TrainingContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Baseline (Tir, Tar, Tbr)time in range77.4 % of measurement timeStandard Deviation 16.7
RA Group: Resistance Training Before Aerobic TrainingContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Baseline (Tir, Tar, Tbr)time above range23.9 % of measurement timeStandard Deviation 20.7
RA Group: Resistance Training Before Aerobic TrainingContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Baseline (Tir, Tar, Tbr)time below range0.9 % of measurement timeStandard Deviation 2.1
Primary

Continuous Glucose Monitoring at Follow-up (Coefficient of Variation)

At baseline, 14-day continuous glucose monitoring including mean glucose value, standard deviation (SD) of the glucose values, coefficient of variation (CV) of relative standard deviation, LAGE, TIR, TAR, TBR

Time frame: at week 8-9

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
AR Group: Aerobic Exercise Before Resistance ExerciseContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Follow-up (Coefficient of Variation)26.1 % of relative standard deviationStandard Deviation 4.4
RA Group: Resistance Training Before Aerobic TrainingContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Follow-up (Coefficient of Variation)25.6 % of relative standard deviationStandard Deviation 4.2
Primary

Continuous Glucose Monitoring at Follow-up (Mean, sd, Lage)

After intervention, 14-day continuous glucose monitoring including mean, sd, cv, lage, tir, tar, tbr

Time frame: at week 8-9

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
AR Group: Aerobic Exercise Before Resistance ExerciseContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Follow-up (Mean, sd, Lage)Mean Glucose8.2 mmol/LStandard Deviation 1
AR Group: Aerobic Exercise Before Resistance ExerciseContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Follow-up (Mean, sd, Lage)Standard Deviation of Blood Glucose2.4 mmol/LStandard Deviation 0.7
AR Group: Aerobic Exercise Before Resistance ExerciseContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Follow-up (Mean, sd, Lage)Largest Amplitude of Glucose Excursion9.1 mmol/LStandard Deviation 2.2
RA Group: Resistance Training Before Aerobic TrainingContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Follow-up (Mean, sd, Lage)Mean Glucose8.4 mmol/LStandard Deviation 1.6
RA Group: Resistance Training Before Aerobic TrainingContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Follow-up (Mean, sd, Lage)Standard Deviation of Blood Glucose2.1 mmol/LStandard Deviation 0.5
RA Group: Resistance Training Before Aerobic TrainingContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Follow-up (Mean, sd, Lage)Largest Amplitude of Glucose Excursion8.1 mmol/LStandard Deviation 1.5
Primary

Continuous Glucose Monitoring at Follow-up (Tir, Tar, Tbr)

After intervention, 14-day continuous glucose monitoring including mean, sd, cv, lage, tir, tar, tbr

Time frame: at week 8-9

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
AR Group: Aerobic Exercise Before Resistance ExerciseContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Follow-up (Tir, Tar, Tbr)Time In Range75.9 % of measurement timeStandard Deviation 12.9
AR Group: Aerobic Exercise Before Resistance ExerciseContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Follow-up (Tir, Tar, Tbr)Time Above Range27.6 % of measurement timeStandard Deviation 21.6
AR Group: Aerobic Exercise Before Resistance ExerciseContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Follow-up (Tir, Tar, Tbr)Time Below Range1.4 % of measurement timeStandard Deviation 4.3
RA Group: Resistance Training Before Aerobic TrainingContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Follow-up (Tir, Tar, Tbr)Time In Range78.0 % of measurement timeStandard Deviation 13.9
RA Group: Resistance Training Before Aerobic TrainingContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Follow-up (Tir, Tar, Tbr)Time Above Range26.1 % of measurement timeStandard Deviation 20.6
RA Group: Resistance Training Before Aerobic TrainingContinuous Glucose Monitoring at Follow-up (Tir, Tar, Tbr)Time Below Range0.9 % of measurement timeStandard Deviation 2.1
Primary

Fasting Glucose at Baseline

blood glucose level following overnight (12-h) fasting

Time frame: At week 0, within 7 days before the intervention starts

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
AR Group: Aerobic Exercise Before Resistance ExerciseFasting Glucose at Baseline7.2 mmol/L
RA Group: Resistance Training Before Aerobic TrainingFasting Glucose at Baseline7.0 mmol/L
Primary

Fasting Glucose at Follow-up

blood glucose level following overnight (12-h) fasting

Time frame: At week 9, within 7 days after the intervention completes

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
AR Group: Aerobic Exercise Before Resistance ExerciseFasting Glucose at Follow-up7.2 mmol/L
RA Group: Resistance Training Before Aerobic TrainingFasting Glucose at Follow-up7.4 mmol/L
Primary

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at Baseline

At baseline, the HbA1c level in blood among all participants

Time frame: At baseline, within 7 days before the intervention starts

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
AR Group: Aerobic Exercise Before Resistance ExerciseHemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at Baseline7.5 percentage of glycated hemoglobin
RA Group: Resistance Training Before Aerobic TrainingHemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at Baseline7.3 percentage of glycated hemoglobin
Primary

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at Follow-up

After intervention, the HbA1c level in blood among all participants

Time frame: At week 9, within 7 days after the completion of the 8-week intervention

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
AR Group: Aerobic Exercise Before Resistance ExerciseHemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at Follow-up7.0 percentage of glycated hemoglobin
RA Group: Resistance Training Before Aerobic TrainingHemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at Follow-up7.2 percentage of glycated hemoglobin

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026