The Effect of Physical Activity Interventions on Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) in Non-diabetic Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2018

Authors

Cavero Redondo, I (Author) Other; peleteiro, b (Author) FMUP; Alvarez Bueno, C (Author) Other; Artero, EG (Author) Other; Garrido Miguel, M (Author) Other; Martinez Vizcaino, V (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Sports Medicine

Vol. 48

Pages: 1151-1164

ISSN: 0112-1642

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 23 Citations

Scopus - 21 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00N-N1S

DOI: 10.1007/s40279-018-0861-0

Abstract (EN): Background Physical activity is widely perceived to be beneficial for preventing type 2 diabetes mellitus and for controlling glycaemic levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, but evidence supporting a positive effect in the control of glycaemic levels in healthy people is rather weak. The aim of this review was to estimate the effect of physical activity on glycaemic control measured by glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) levels in non-diabetic populations, and to determine which type of physical activity has a greater influence on glycaemic control. Methods We systematically searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases, from inception to May 2017, for experimental studies addressing the effect of physical activity on glycaemic control measured by HbA(1c) levels in non-diabetic populations. The DerSimonian and Laird method was used to compute pooled estimates of effect size (ES) and respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The effect of physical activity on HbA(1c) levels was estimated in two ways: (1) physical activity intervention versus control; and (2) physical activity pre-post intervention. Additionally, subgroup analyses were performed based on age of participants and different aspects of the intervention. Results Fifteen published studies were included in the meta-analysis. In analyses comparing physical activity intervention and control, we found a decrease of HbA(1c) levels in favour of the intervention group (ES = 0.32; 95% CI 0.01-0.62) with substantial heterogeneity (I-2 = 63.2%; p = 0.008). In the pre-post analysis, there was a decrease in HbA(1c) levels post physical activity intervention (ES = 0.17; 95% CI 0.01-0.33) with low heterogeneity (I-2 = 25.8%; p = 0.164). Additionally, for physical activity intervention versus control, a decrease in HbA(1c) levels was observed in resistance exercise and in intervention length below 12 weeks. Furthermore, for pre-post effect analyses, a decrease in HbA(1c) levels was observed in the supervised physical activity programme, other type of exercises, intervention length below 12 weeks and exercise intervention week duration above 150 min subgroups. Conclusions This systematic review and meta-analysis provides an overview of the evidence supporting physical activity as a suitable intervention for glycaemic control as measured by HbA(1c) levels in non-diabetic populations. Trial Registration PROSPERO CRD42016050991.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 14