Efficacy of 10-20-30 training versus moderate-intensity continuous training on HbA 1c , body composition and maximum oxygen uptake in male patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial.

Aim To compare the efficacy of 10-20-30 training versus moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on HbA1c, body composition and maximum oxygen uptake (VO(2)max) in male patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Materials and Methods Fifty-one male participants with T2D were randomly assigned (1:1) to a 10-20-30 (N = 26) and a MICT (N = 25) training group. Interventions consisted of supervised cycling three times weekly for 10 weeks, lasting 29 minutes (10-20-30) and 50 minutes (MICT) in a local non-clinical setting. The primary outcome was change in HbA1c from baseline to 10-week follow-up. Results Of 51 participants enrolled, 44 (mean age 61.0 +/- 6.8 [mean +/- SD] years, diagnosed 7.5 +/- 5.8 years, baseline HbA1c 7.4% +/- 1.3%) were included in the analysis. Training compliance was 84% and 86% in 10-20-30 and MICT, respectively. No adverse events occurred during the intervention. HbA1c decreased (P <0.001) by 0.5 (95% CI -0.72 to -0.21) percentage points with training in 10-20-30, with no change in MICT. The change in 10-20-30 was greater (P <0.05) than in MICT. Visceral fat mass decreased (P <0.05) only with 10-20-30 training, whereas total fat mass decreased (P <0.01) and VO(2)max increased (P <0.01) with training in both groups. Conclusions Ten weeks of 10-20-30 training was superior to MICT in lowering HbA1c, and only 10-20-30 training decreased visceral fat mass in patients with T2D. Furthermore, 10-20-30 training was as effective as MICT in reducing total fat mass and increasing VO(2)max, despite a 42% lower training time commitment.