The Effect of Unsupervised Interval Aerobic Training on Serum Subfatin and Interleukin-4 Levels in Men with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of unsupervised low-volume high-intensity interval training on serum subfatin and interleukin-4 levels in men with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 20 men with type 2 diabetes were randomly divided into two groups: unsupervised exercise and control. Eight weeks of low-volume high-intensity interval training were prescribed to the subjects in the exercise group, which were to be performed unsupervised and individually, three sessions per week at a specified intensity for eight weeks. The total duration of the exercise session was 21 to 28 minutes. Before and after the intervention, anthropometric measurements were performed and blood samples were taken from the subjects. To examine the differences between groups, the analysis of covariance test was used.

Results: After eight weeks of intervention, no significant changes were observed in body weight (p= 0.26), body mass index (p= 0.32), and body fat mass (p= 0.13) in the exercise prescription group. Also, at the end of the study, no significant differences were observed in fasting glucose (p= 0.25), serum subfatin (p= 0.25), and interleukin-4 (p= 0.29) levels between the unsupervised exercise and control groups.

Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that prescribing low-intensity interval training in an unsupervised manner does not have a significant effect on improving anthropometric indices, fasting glucose, and subfatin and interleukin-4 levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it is recommended that more studies on this type of training be conducted in a supervised manner.