Effects of high-intensity interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic outcomes in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

João Paulo B C Vieira; itor Oliveira Carvalho; Luan A C Aguiar; Neil A Smart; Camila Nascimento Monteiro; Mayra Heloise Weege; Rafaella P G da Silva; Bruno N Rangel; Mansueto Gomes-Neto

doi:10.1177/02692155261416862

Effects of high-intensity interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic outcomes in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

João Paulo B C Vieira, itor Oliveira Carvalho, Luan A C Aguiar, Neil A Smart, Camila Nascimento Monteiro, Mayra Heloise Weege, Rafaella P G da Silva, Bruno N Rangel, Mansueto Gomes-Neto

Exercise & Sports Science

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus different types of exercise or no exercise on peak oxygen consumption, muscle strength, health-related quality of life, and cardiometabolic risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Data Sources: We searched in EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Central, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and SciELO for randomized controlled trials assessing the impact of HIIT in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Review Methods: Study quality was evaluated using the PEDro scale, and certainty of evidence. We calculated mean differences, standardized mean difference and 95% confidence intervals.

Results: Sixty-two studies (2204 participants) were included. Compared to control, HIIT increased peak oxygen consumption by 4.56 mL·kg⁻¹ ·min⁻¹ (95% confidence interval 3.54 to 5.58) and reduced glycosylated hemoglobin by 0.70% (95% confidence interval −0.88 to −0.51). Improvements were also observed in insulin resistance, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lipid profile, body mass index, and fat mass. When compared with moderate-intensity continuous training, HIIT improved peak oxygen consumption (1.30 mL·kg⁻¹ ·min⁻¹; 95% confidence interval 0.28 to 2.43) and glycosylated hemoglobin (−0.12%; 95% confidence interval −0.24 to −0.01).

Conclusions: High-intensity interval training improves peak oxygen consumption, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin resistance, and various cardiometabolic risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1-22
Journal	Clinical Rehabilitation
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/02692155261416862
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 19 Feb 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Access to Document

10.1177/02692155261416862

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/72256

Handle.net

Persistent link

Cite this

Vieira, J. P. B. C., Carvalho, I. O., Aguiar, L. A. C., Smart, N. A., Monteiro, C. N., Weege, M. H., da Silva, R. P. G., Rangel, B. N., & Gomes-Neto, M. (2026). Effects of high-intensity interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic outcomes in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Rehabilitation, 1-22. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692155261416862

@article{44a26ee1f88a4aef836c6ba2614ec378,

title = "Effects of high-intensity interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic outcomes in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis",

abstract = "Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus different types of exercise or no exercise on peak oxygen consumption, muscle strength, health-related quality of life, and cardiometabolic risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Data Sources: We searched in EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Central, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and SciELO for randomized controlled trials assessing the impact of HIIT in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Review Methods: Study quality was evaluated using the PEDro scale, and certainty of evidence. We calculated mean differences, standardized mean difference and 95\% confidence intervals. Results: Sixty-two studies (2204 participants) were included. Compared to control, HIIT increased peak oxygen consumption by 4.56 mL·kg−1 ·min−1 (95\% confidence interval 3.54 to 5.58) and reduced glycosylated hemoglobin by 0.70\% (95\% confidence interval −0.88 to −0.51). Improvements were also observed in insulin resistance, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lipid profile, body mass index, and fat mass. When compared with moderate-intensity continuous training, HIIT improved peak oxygen consumption (1.30 mL·kg−1 ·min−1; 95\% confidence interval 0.28 to 2.43) and glycosylated hemoglobin (−0.12\%; 95\% confidence interval −0.24 to −0.01). Conclusions: High-intensity interval training improves peak oxygen consumption, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin resistance, and various cardiometabolic risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.",

author = "Vieira, \{Jo{\~a}o Paulo B C\} and Carvalho, \{itor Oliveira\} and Aguiar, \{Luan A C\} and Smart, \{Neil A\} and Monteiro, \{Camila Nascimento\} and Weege, \{Mayra Heloise\} and \{da Silva\}, \{Rafaella P G\} and Rangel, \{Bruno N\} and Mansueto Gomes-Neto",

year = "2026",

month = feb,

day = "19",

doi = "10.1177/02692155261416862",

language = "English",

pages = "1--22",

journal = "Clinical Rehabilitation",

issn = "0269-2155",

publisher = "Sage Publications Ltd",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Effects of high-intensity interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic outcomes in type 2 diabetes

T2 - A systematic review and meta-analysis

AU - Vieira, João Paulo B C

AU - Carvalho, itor Oliveira

AU - Aguiar, Luan A C

AU - Smart, Neil A

AU - Monteiro, Camila Nascimento

AU - Weege, Mayra Heloise

AU - da Silva, Rafaella P G

AU - Rangel, Bruno N

AU - Gomes-Neto, Mansueto

PY - 2026/2/19

Y1 - 2026/2/19

N2 - Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus different types of exercise or no exercise on peak oxygen consumption, muscle strength, health-related quality of life, and cardiometabolic risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Data Sources: We searched in EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Central, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and SciELO for randomized controlled trials assessing the impact of HIIT in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Review Methods: Study quality was evaluated using the PEDro scale, and certainty of evidence. We calculated mean differences, standardized mean difference and 95% confidence intervals. Results: Sixty-two studies (2204 participants) were included. Compared to control, HIIT increased peak oxygen consumption by 4.56 mL·kg−1 ·min−1 (95% confidence interval 3.54 to 5.58) and reduced glycosylated hemoglobin by 0.70% (95% confidence interval −0.88 to −0.51). Improvements were also observed in insulin resistance, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lipid profile, body mass index, and fat mass. When compared with moderate-intensity continuous training, HIIT improved peak oxygen consumption (1.30 mL·kg−1 ·min−1; 95% confidence interval 0.28 to 2.43) and glycosylated hemoglobin (−0.12%; 95% confidence interval −0.24 to −0.01). Conclusions: High-intensity interval training improves peak oxygen consumption, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin resistance, and various cardiometabolic risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AB - Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus different types of exercise or no exercise on peak oxygen consumption, muscle strength, health-related quality of life, and cardiometabolic risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Data Sources: We searched in EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Central, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and SciELO for randomized controlled trials assessing the impact of HIIT in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Review Methods: Study quality was evaluated using the PEDro scale, and certainty of evidence. We calculated mean differences, standardized mean difference and 95% confidence intervals. Results: Sixty-two studies (2204 participants) were included. Compared to control, HIIT increased peak oxygen consumption by 4.56 mL·kg−1 ·min−1 (95% confidence interval 3.54 to 5.58) and reduced glycosylated hemoglobin by 0.70% (95% confidence interval −0.88 to −0.51). Improvements were also observed in insulin resistance, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lipid profile, body mass index, and fat mass. When compared with moderate-intensity continuous training, HIIT improved peak oxygen consumption (1.30 mL·kg−1 ·min−1; 95% confidence interval 0.28 to 2.43) and glycosylated hemoglobin (−0.12%; 95% confidence interval −0.24 to −0.01). Conclusions: High-intensity interval training improves peak oxygen consumption, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin resistance, and various cardiometabolic risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

U2 - 10.1177/02692155261416862

DO - 10.1177/02692155261416862

M3 - Article

SN - 0269-2155

SP - 1

EP - 22

JO - Clinical Rehabilitation

JF - Clinical Rehabilitation

ER -

Effects of high-intensity interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic outcomes in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Handle.net

Fingerprint

Cite this