We investigated the effect of an 8 week circuit training (CT) program, combining aerobic
and resistance exercise, on indices of glycemic control, cardiorespiratory fitness,
muscular strength and body composition in 16 subjects (age 52 +/- 2 years) with type
2 diabetes using a prospective randomised crossover protocol. Submaximal exercise
heart rate and rate pressure product were significantly lower after training (P<0.05),
whilst ventilatory threshold increased (11.8 +/- 0.7 vs 13.8 +/- 0.6 ml kg(-1)min(-1),
P<0.001). Muscular strength also increased with training (403 +/- 30 to 456 +/- 31
kg, P<0.001), whilst skinfolds (148.7 +/- 11.5 vs 141.1 +/- 10.7 mm, P<0.05), % body
fat (29.5 +/- 1.0 vs 28.7 +/- 1.1%, P<0.05) and waist:hip ratio (99.2 +/- 1.5 vs 97.9
+/- 1.4%, P<0.05) significantly decreased. Concurrently, peak oxygen uptake (P<0.05)
and exercise test duration (P<0.001) increased following training, whilst glycated
hemoglobin (P<0.05) and fasting blood glucose (P<0.05) decreased. CT is an effective
method of training that improved functional capacity, lean body mass, strength and
glycemic control in subjects with type 2 diabetes.