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

Abstract 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 (45 min/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 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.