Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice ›› 2025, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (5): 553-560.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2025.05.008

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Health benefits of physical activity in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review of systematic reviews

WANG Mei1(), ZHU Wenping2   

  1. 1. School of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
    2. School of Physical Education, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
  • Received:2025-04-23 Published:2025-05-25 Online:2025-05-26
  • Contact: WANG Mei, E-mail: wangmeipku@qq.com
  • Supported by:
    China Scholarship Council International Cooperation Cultivating Innovative Talents Program(202411340002)

Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the evidence about impact of physical activity (PA) on glycemic control and related health outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Methods Adhering to PRISMA guideline, systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between 2017 and 2024 were retrieved from the databases such as Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library. Two researchers independently extracted data and assessed the quality using AMSTAR2. The included systematic reviews were systematically reviewed.
Results Eight systematic reviews were included, with six rated as high quality and two as low quality. Various forms of PA interventions, such as aerobic exercise, resistance training, combined training and high-intensity interval training, might significantly reduce glycated hemoglobin, enhance cardiorespiratory fitness, lower cardiovascular risk factors (such as body mass, blood pressure and blood lipids), and decrease the risk of diabetes-related complications and mortality in T2DM patients. Combined training and high-intensity training seemed to be better. Professionally supervised PA was more effective.
Conclusions Regular and multimodal PA is effective on glycemic control, and cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors in T2DM patients. It is advocated an individualized, diversified, adequately dosed (encouraging higher total doses), intensity-appropriate (promoting higher intensity), combined-mode and supervision-integrated PA strategies.

Key words: type 2 diabetes, physical activity, glycemic control, complications, systematic review

CLC Number: