High Intensity Circuit Training vs Traditional Exercise for Type 2 Diabetes

Overseen By Brian Kliszczewicz, Ph.D.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Kennesaw State University

Disqualifiers: Revascularization, Renal, Pulmonary, CVD, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 16 weeks

42 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether a new high-intensity body-weight circuit (HIBC) training method can improve health markers and fitness for people with type 2 diabetes. Participants will engage in either HIBC exercises or traditional exercise routines to determine which better manages diabetes symptoms and improves overall health. It suits individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the past year who are not on insulin or medication and have not been exercising regularly. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative exercise methods that could enhance health and well-being.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that participants are not on any medicinal treatment for their diabetes, so you would need to stop taking any diabetes medications before joining.

What prior data suggests that this high intensity body-weight circuit training is safe for middle-aged persons with type-2 diabetes?

Research shows that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is generally safe for people with type 2 diabetes. Studies have found that HIIT can improve blood sugar control and heart health. This exercise type offers maximum benefits in a short time, making it both efficient and effective with minimal risk.

While no specific safety concerns have been reported for high-intensity body-weight circuit (HIBC) training, similar exercises have been well-tolerated. Participants often see fitness improvements without major side effects.

Exercises typically begin with shorter sessions that gradually increase in length, helping participants safely build endurance. Consulting a healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program is crucial, especially for those with health concerns. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the use of high intensity body-weight circuit (HIBC) training for Type 2 Diabetes because it offers a fresh approach to managing the condition. Unlike traditional exercise routines, which often require lengthy gym sessions, HIBC is designed to be short, intense, and can be performed at home. This makes it more accessible and potentially easier to integrate into daily life. Additionally, the progressive increase in session duration allows participants to build up stamina gradually, which could enhance long-term adherence and effectiveness. This innovative approach may provide an effective alternative for those struggling to fit standard exercise into their busy schedules.

What evidence suggests that high intensity body-weight circuit training is effective for type 2 diabetes?

Research has shown that high-intensity interval training (HIIT), such as the high-intensity body-weight circuits (HIBC) tested in this trial, benefits people with type 2 diabetes. Studies have found that HIIT can significantly reduce body weight, body fat, and blood sugar levels (measured by HbA1c). It also boosts fitness, as evidenced by improved heart and lung function. These benefits help manage type 2 diabetes and can greatly enhance overall health, making HIIT a promising exercise option for those looking to control their diabetes. Participants in this trial will be assigned to either the HIBC arm or the traditional exercise intervention (TEI) arm to compare the effectiveness of these exercise approaches. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for middle-aged individuals recently diagnosed with type-2 diabetes who haven't started any medicinal treatment and are not insulin-dependent. They should have an HbA1c level between 6% and 8%, no current exercise program, and must be willing to be randomly assigned to a workout group. Smokers or those with kidney, lung, heart diseases, past revascularization procedures, or cognitive dysfunction cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the last year.

I do not need insulin for my diabetes.

Your HbA1c level is between 6% and 8%.

Exclusion Criteria

You are currently smoking cigarettes.

I have had a procedure to improve blood flow to my heart.

You have been diagnosed with problems related to thinking and memory.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo high intensity body-weight circuit (HIBC) training, starting with three sessions per week, increasing to four sessions per week after three weeks. Session duration starts at 5 minutes and increases by one minute each week, peaking at 10 minutes by the eighth week.

16 weeks

Sessions completed at home

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in body composition, VO2max, glucose tolerance, and HbA1c levels after the intervention.

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• high intensity body-weight circuit
• traditional exercise intervention (TEI)

Trial Overview The study is testing the effectiveness of a new high intensity body-weight circuit (HIBC) training compared to traditional exercise interventions (TEI). It aims to see which one better improves metabolic profile, body composition, and fitness in people with type-2 diabetes.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: high intensity body-weight circuit (HIBC) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

HIBC Exercise Protocol- circuit repetition and order is as follows: modified squats (10 repetitions), modified rows (5 repetitions), crunches (10), and modified push-ups (5). The exercise sessions will involve repeating a series of repetitions of each movement in sequence, and completing as many sequences as possible in good form in the time allotted for the exercise (initially, 5 minutes). Three sessions per week will be completed at home. After three weeks of training, participants will be asked to add a fourth session each week. Initially, the HIBC sessions will be five minutes long, and the duration of the sessions will increase by one minute each week as tolerated beginning in week four, peaking at 10-minutes per session (warm up not included in this timing) as early as the eighth week of training. Session duration will be capped at 10-minutes.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Kennesaw State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

14

Recruited

860+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A 12-week study involving 15 participants with type 2 diabetes showed that high intensity interval exercise (HI-IE) is as feasible as moderate intensity continuous exercise (MI-CE), with both groups maintaining high adherence rates of over 97%.

Both HI-IE and MI-CE effectively reduced total body fat and trunk fat, but neither intervention significantly changed glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, indicating limited impact on blood sugar control in participants who were already well-managed.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of high intensity interval training in type 2 diabetes. Terada, T., Friesen, A., Chahal, BS., et al.[2022]

Circuit exercise training for 12 weeks significantly improved physical functions such as muscular strength, flexibility, balance, agility, and endurance in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, along with a reduction in HbA1c levels, indicating better glucose metabolism.

After an 8-week period of detraining, while some improvements in flexibility and agility declined, these parameters remained significantly better than baseline and compared to the control group, suggesting that the benefits of exercise can be partially retained even after stopping training.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects on training and detraining on physical function, control of diabetes and anthropometrics in type 2 diabetes; a randomized controlled trial. Park, SY., Lee, IH.[2014]

High-intensity circuit training (HICT) significantly reduced fat mass, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and ApoB levels while increasing HDL cholesterol in healthy, overweight middle-aged individuals over 12 weeks.

Compared to traditional endurance training and low-intensity circuit training, HICT was more effective in improving cardiovascular disease risk factors, highlighting its potential as a superior exercise intervention for this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of high-intensity circuit training, low-intensity circuit training and endurance training on blood pressure and lipoproteins in middle-aged overweight men. Paoli, A., Pacelli, QF., Moro, T., et al.[2022]

Integrating high-intensity interval training (HIIT) before circuit weight training (CWT) leads to greater energy expenditure and metabolic response compared to a circuit training-first approach, indicating a more intense workout effect.

Both exercise protocols (HIIT followed by CWT and a combined circuit with HIIT) resulted in similar heart rate and perceived exertion levels, suggesting that while HIIT before CWT is more metabolically demanding, both methods are effective for overall caloric burn.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Metabolic effects of two high-intensity circuit training protocols: Does sequence matter? Nuñez, TP., Amorim, FT., Beltz, NM., et al.[2022]

A meta-analysis of 24 trials involving 962 patients with type 2 diabetes showed that high-intensity resistance exercise significantly reduced HbA1c levels and insulin levels compared to low-to-moderate intensity exercise.

Specifically, high-intensity resistance exercise led to a greater decrease in HbA1c (-0.61) and insulin levels (-4.60), highlighting its effectiveness in improving glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Resistance Exercise Intensity is Correlated with Attenuation of HbA1c and Insulin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Liu, Y., Ye, W., Chen, Q., et al.[2022]

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) significantly improves glycaemic control, aerobic resistance, and body composition in individuals with type 2 diabetes, based on a meta-analysis of 180 studies involving participants aged 18 and older.

Specific types of HIIT, such as Sprint Interval HIIT (SIT-HIIT) and Short Interval HIIT (SI-HIIT), may offer greater benefits for fasting blood glucose levels compared to traditional continuous aerobic training.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of chronic high-intensity interval training programs on glycaemic control, aerobic resistance, and body composition in type 2 diabetic patients: a meta-analysis. Arrieta-Leandro, MC., Moncada-Jiménez, J., Morales-Scholz, MG., et al.[2023]

A 5-month circuit-type resistance training program significantly improved cholesterol levels and long-term glycemic control (HbA1c) in 38 type 2 diabetic subjects, indicating its effectiveness as a treatment option.

Participants in the resistance training group experienced a notable reduction in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides, suggesting that resistance training can positively impact cardiovascular health in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Resistance training improves the metabolic profile in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Honkola, A., Forsén, T., Eriksson, J.[2022]

An 8-week modified high-intensity circuit training program significantly improved various health-related fitness measures in 24 sedentary obese women, including flexibility, muscle strength, and cardiovascular endurance.

Participants in the training group experienced notable changes in body composition, such as increased skeletal muscle mass and decreased body fat percentage, compared to a control group, highlighting the efficacy of this training modality.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Body composition and physical fitness improve after 8 weeks of high-intensity circuit training using body weight in obese women. Ajjimaporn, A., Khemtong, C., Willems, ME.[2023]

A 3-month circuit resistance training program significantly improved long-term glycaemic control in subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), as indicated by a reduction in HbA1c from 8.8% to 8.2%.

The study found a strong inverse correlation between muscle size (measured by thigh muscle cross-sectional area) and HbA1c levels, suggesting that increased muscle mass may enhance glycaemic control in NIDDM patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Resistance training in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Eriksson, J., Taimela, S., Eriksson, K., et al.[2022]

High-intensity (HI) exercise training is a time-efficient alternative to traditional moderate-intensity (MI) exercise for prediabetic adults, allowing them to meet physical activity guidelines with less overall time commitment.

HI exercise training has been shown to improve skeletal muscle metabolic control and cardiovascular function comparably or even superiorly to low-intensity (LI) and MI exercise, making it an effective option for reducing cardiometabolic risk in prediabetic patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-intensity exercise training for the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Rynders, CA., Weltman, A.[2014]

Low-volume walking high-intensity interval training (HIIT) significantly improved physical capacity, including greater increases in distance covered during a 6-minute walk test and grip strength compared to moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in older women with type 2 diabetes.

Both HIIT and MICT reduced resting blood pressure and improved cardiovascular risk scores, but neither training method significantly affected ambulatory blood pressure or lipid profiles after 12 weeks.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Low-volume walking HIIT: Efficient strategy to improve physical capacity and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in older women with type 2 diabetes. Marcotte-Chénard, A., Tremblay, D., Mony, MM., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6491404/

Effectiveness of high-intensity interval training on glycemic ... HIIT elicited a significant reduction in BMI, body fat, HbA1c, fasting insulin, and VO2peak in patients with type 2 diabetes. Regarding changes in the body ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05571384

High Intensity Body-weight Circuit Training Feasibility and ... This research study proposes to quantify the efficacy of the novel high intensity body-weight circuit (HIBC) training intervention on metabolic profile, body ...

3. dom-pubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com dom-pubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/dom.16220

Efficacy of high‐intensity interval training in individuals with ... The data indicated that HIIT significantly improves glycosylated haemoglobin and cardiorespiratory fitness compared with CON (weighted mean ...

4. jhp-ojs-tamucc.tdl.org jhp-ojs-tamucc.tdl.org/JHP/article/view/173

A Pilot Study: High Intensity Body-weight Circuit T2DM The purpose of this pilot was to evaluate the effectiveness of an minimal time commitment HIBC intervention on metabolic biomarkers, body ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4334091/

Effectiveness and Safety of High-Intensity Interval Training ... One low-volume HIIT protocol that has shown preliminary effectiveness in patients with type 2 diabetes involves 10 × 1-minute vigorous intensity efforts at ∼90% ...

6. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/acsm-healthfitness/fulltext/2013/05000/high_intensity_circuit_training_using_body_weight_.5.aspx

HIGH-INTENSITY CIRCUIT TRAINING USING BODY ... High-intensity circuit training using body weight may provide a convenient, efficient, and effective way to maximize exercise benefits with minimal time and ...

7. dmsjournal.biomedcentral.com dmsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13098-025-01909-z

Comparative effectiveness of high-intensity interval training ... To evaluate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cardiometabolic health-related outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes ...