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Review
. 2025 Jul 21;17(1):290.
doi: 10.1186/s13098-025-01838-x.

Effects of concurrent continuous aerobic and short rest resistance exercise training on metabolic biomarkers in type 2 diabetes patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Friew Amare  1 , Alemmebrat Kiflu  2 , Aschenaki Taddese  2
Affiliations
Review

Effects of concurrent continuous aerobic and short rest resistance exercise training on metabolic biomarkers in type 2 diabetes patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Friew Amare et al. Diabetol Metab Syndr. .

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate the impact of a 12-week concurrent training program combining continuous aerobic exercise and short-rest resistance training on metabolic biomarkers in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients through a meta-analysis of the available evidence.

Methods: A literature search was performed in Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct and Cochrane covering databases for relevant randomized controlled trials, and studies were included and individually assessed according to the Cochrane risk of bias tool in the Cochrane Systematic Assessor’s Handbook. The data were analysed via Stata version 17 analysis software to analyse and process the data.

Results: A comprehensive review and analysis were conducted on 11 carefully selected articles, encompassing a total of 438 participants across both the experimental and control groups. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that concurrent training combining continuous aerobic exercise and a short-rest resistance training program reduced HbA1c (SMD = − 0.53, 95% CI = [− 0.98, − 0.07], P = 0.03; HOMA-IR (SMD = − 0.80, 95% CI = [− 1.24, − 0.35], P < 0.001); HDL-C (SMD = 0.30, 95% CI = [0.03, 0.57], P = 0.03); TG (SMD = -0.78, 95% CI = [-1.33, -0.23], P = 0.01); and TC (SMD = -0.37, 95% CI = [-0.63, -0.10], P = 0.01) in type 2 diabetes patients.

Conclusion: These findings provide strong evidence supporting the beneficial effects of 12 weeks of continuous aerobic exercise combined with short-rest resistance training within the same session on metabolic health markers such as HbA1c, HOMA-IR, HDL-C, TG and TC in individuals with T2DM. The review underscores the need for additional randomized controlled trials to investigate optimal exercise sequencing, extended intervention durations, and better control of confounding variables to deepen our understanding of the efficacy of concurrent training in this population.

Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13098-025-01838-x.

Keywords: Concurrent resistance and aerobic training; Lipid and glucose profile; Meta-analysis; T2DM.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Ethics and consent to participate declarations: not applicable. Consent for publish: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA flowchart for the search strategy
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Summary of the risk of bias
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Risk of bias assessment results
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Findings of the effects of concurrent training combining continuous aerobic exercise and short-rest resistance training exercise on HbA1c in patients with T2DM via a random model
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Findings of the effects of concurrent training combining continuous aerobic exercise and short-rest resistance training programs on HOMA-IR in patients with T2DM via random model effects
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Findings of the effects of concurrent training combining continuous aerobic exercise and short-rest resistance training programs on HDL cholesterol in patients with T2DM according to the fixed model effect
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Findings of the effects of concurrent training combining continuous aerobic exercise and short-rest resistance training programs on TG in patients with T2DM via a random model
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Findings of the effects of concurrent training combining continuous aerobic exercise and short-rest resistance training programs on TC in patients with T2DM via a fixed effect model
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