Glucose control can be similarly improved after aquatic or dry-land aerobic training in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effects of two aerobic training methods in water and on dry-land on glycemic, lipid, inflammatory, hormonal, cardiorespiratory, and functional outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes.

DESIGN

Randomized clinical trial.

METHODS

Thirty-five patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to aquatic aerobic training group (n=17) or dry-land aerobic training group (n=18). Exercise training interventions had duration of 12 weeks, performed in three weekly sessions (45min/session), with intensity progressing from 85% to 100% of heart rate of anaerobic threshold during interventions. All outcomes were evaluated at baseline and 12 weeks later.

RESULTS

Patients were 56.7±7.9 years old. Decreases in glycated hemoglobin were observed in both groups (AT: -0.42±0.28%, DLT: -0.35±1.8%). Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein levels, plasma renin activity, angiotensin II concentrations, C-reactive protein, systolic blood pressure, resting heart rate, and timed up and go test performed at the usual speed also decreased in both groups in response to both interventions (p<0.05), without between-group differences. Both groups increased the ratio between oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold and oxygen uptake of peak (p=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Aerobic training in an aquatic environment provides effects similar to aerobic training in a dry-land environment in patients with type 2 diabetes.