Rowing and Cycling Reduce Inflammation in Early-Stage Type 2 Diabetes

Summary

This multicenter randomized controlled trial evaluates the short-term (7-day) effects of different rowing-cycling exercise regimens on postprandial glycemic excursions in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients (aged 18-60 years, diagnosis ≤12 months, drug-naïve). A total of 120 participants will be randomized into five groups: control, moderate-intensity continuous cycling, high-intensity interval rowing, and standard combined exercise (rowing + cycling, 50 min). The primary outcome is inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-1ra, IL-10, hs-CRP), body Composition and functional Indicators. Secondary outcomes include change in continuous glucose monitoring-derived glycemic variability (CONGA), and time-in-range. Mixed-effects models will quantify dose-response relationships and identify key effect modifiers (e.g., age). This study aims to establish an evidence-based precision exercise prescription for early-stage type 2 diabetes management.

Conditions

• Diabetes

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Continuous Exercise - Cycling Group

Warm-up: 5 minutes of low-intensity cycling (50-60 W, approximately 40%-50% HRmax of continuous power cycling at) Main Training: 40 minutes 65%-75% HRmax (approximately 60%-70% VO₂peak), maintaining a cadence of 60-80 rpm Cool-down: 5 minutes of low-intensity cycling followed by stretching Total Duration: 50 minutes

BEHAVIORAL

Rowing Ergometer High-Intensity Interval Training

Warm-up: 5 minutes of low-intensity rowing at approximately 50% of maximum heart rate (HRmax). Main Training: 24 minutes of interval training consisting of 4 sets of high-intensity rowing for 4 minutes each (85%-90% HRmax), with 2 minutes of low-intensity active recovery (50%-60% HRmax) between each set. Maintain a stroke rate of 24-30 strokes per minute (SPM) for high-intensity intervals and 18-22 SPM for recovery intervals. Cool-down: 5 minutes of low-intensity rowing combined with stretching. Total Duration: 34 minutes

BEHAVIORAL

Combined Training Standard

Warm-up: 5 minutes of low-intensity activity (choose either cycling or rowing). Rowing Machine Segment: 20 minutes at an intensity of 65%-75% of maximum heart rate (HRmax) (approximately 60%-70% of VO₂peak), with a stroke rate of 22-26 strokes per minute (SPM). Bicycle Segment: 20 minutes at an intensity of 65%-75% of HRmax (approximately 60%-70% of VO₂peak), with a cadence of 60-80 revolutions per minute (rpm). Cool-down: 5 minutes of stretching. Total Duration: 50 minutes

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The 95th Hospital of Putian，Putian, Fujian, China

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Rongfeng Zhu · The 95th Hospital of Putian

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-10-01

Primary Completion

2028-10-10

Completion

2028-12-11

Countries

• China

Study Locations