This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of exercise programs in patients with type II diabetes mellitus.

Two investigators systematically searched and reviewed English articles from PUBMED from 1988 to 2004, selecting randomized controlled trials on structured exercise programs for DM patients. Out of 87 studies identified, a meta analysis was done for eleven studies which satisfied inclusion criteria and focused on glycemic indices, lipid indices, and cardiac function indices.

The means and standard deviations were compared for experimental groups that received exercise-only or exercise and diet programs and control groups that received no intervention or only diet education. The groups were considered homogeneous as the p value of the Q score in each variable group was over 0.05. The experimental groups demonstrated a moderate positive effect on HbA₁c and VO_2max (d=0.55 & 0.5), and a small positive effect on fasting blood glucose and cholesterol (d=0.38 & 0.27) compared to the control groups. HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, however, showed a very low positive effect (d=0.11 & 0.12) in the experimental groups. Aerobic exercise was more beneficial than resistance exercise on HbA₁c (d=0.59 vs 0.28) in the groups.

Regular exercise has a positive effect on HbA₁c, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and VO_2max in Type 2 diabetic patients.