Exercise training improves glycemic control in long-standing insulin-treated type 2 diabetic patients

Regular exercise represents an effective strategy to prevent and/or treat type 2 diabetes ( 1 , 2 ). However, the clinical benefits of exercise intervention in a vastly expanding group of long-standing insulin-treated type 2 diabetic patients with comorbidities are less evident. As these patients generally experience muscle weakness ( 3 – 6 ), cardiovascular comorbidities ( 7 – 10 ), and/or exercise intolerance ( 3 , 11 – 13 ), it has proven difficult or even impossible for them to adhere to an intense endurance exercise training regimen ( 14 , 15 ). In the present study, we investigated the feasibility and benefits of a low-impact exercise intervention program, combining both endurance and resistance-type exercise, in long-standing insulin-treated type 2 diabetic patients with a high cardiovascular risk profile. We assessed the impact of 5 months of exercise training on glycemic control, body composition, workload capacity, and whole-body as well as skeletal muscle oxidative capacity