Effect of Aerobic Dance Vs Static Cycling on Anthropometric Measures, Cholesterol, and Blood Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Introduction. Aerobic dance (AD) has grown as a popular aerobic exercise treating metabolic diseases. However, its beneficial effects on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared with other types of aerobic exercise have not been known. This study aimed to compare the influence of AD and static cycling (SC) on anthropometric measures, systolic blood pressure (SBP), blood glucose, and total cholesterol. Material and Methods. The design of this study was a randomized controlled study (RCT). Thirty T2DM subjects were assigned to three groups, i.e. control (C), aerobic dance exercise (AD), and static cycling exercise (SC), ten subjects in each group. AD and SC were performed three times a week for eight weeks. On the follow-up, four subjects were withdrawn. Waist and hip circumference (WC and HC), BMI, and blood pressure (BP) were measured. Blood glucose (fasting (FBG) and 2 hours postprandial (2-h PPBG)) and total cholesterol were checked using a simple, instant blood examination device. A paired t-test, Anova and Tamhane’s T2 post hoc test were applied. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results. Student’s t-test showed that post-exercise waist circumference was significantly increased in the control group (92.7 ± 13.5 cm, p = 0.04), while post-exercise FBG and 2-h PPBG were significantly reduced in the SC group (112.5 ± 12.0 mg/dL, p = 0.04 and 155.0 ± 45.3 mg/dL, p = 0.02, respectively). Tamhane’s T2 post hoc indicates that 2-h PPBG in SC was lower than in the case of AD (155.0 ± 45.3 vs 171.3 ± 19.7 mg/dL, p = 0.04) and SC vs control (155.0 ± 45.3 vs 183.0 ± 24.1 mg/dL, p = 0.02). Systolic was significantly reduced in SC compared to the control group (126.9 ± 7.5 vs. 143.3 ± 17.5 mmHg, p = 0.04). The magnitude of reduced (Δ) in 2-h PPBG in SC was significantly different from control (Δ-18.75 ± 10.9 vs. Δ2.75 ± 12.4, p = 0.04) and AD (Δ-18.75 ± 10.9 vs. Δ6.37 ± 11.8, p = 0.02). Conclusions. Static cycling exercise improved 2-hour postprandial blood glucose and systolic blood pressure significantly more than aerobic dance in T2DM.