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

Effects of Different Modes of Rowing Combined With Cycling Exercise on Inflammatory Markers in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Patients

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.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age between 18-60 years, no gender limited;
2. Meeting the WHO 1999 diagnostic criteria for T2DM, with a diagnosis time ≤12 months;
3. Not having received hypoglycemic drug treatment (or only lifestyle intervention, and stopped medication ≥4 weeks before enrollment);
4. Fasting blood glucose 7.0-13.9 mmol/L, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) 6.5%-10.0%;
5. No regular exercise in the past 3 months (less than 2 times per week of moderate or higher intensity exercise, each <30 minutes);
6. Voluntarily signing the informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes, or other special types of diabetes;
2. Severe cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases (NYHA heart function ≥III, recent myocardial infarction or unstable angina);
3. Uncontrolled hypertension (resting systolic blood pressure ≥160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥100 mmHg);
4. Severe liver or kidney dysfunction (ALT/AST ≥3 times the upper limit of normal, or eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73m²);
5. Severe diabetic complications (such as proliferative retinopathy, severe neuropathy, diabetic foot);
6. Pregnant or breastfeeding women;
7. Mental illness or cognitive impairment that prevents compliance with the study;
8. Stress events such as infection, trauma, or surgery in the past month;
9. Participation in other interventional clinical studies;
10. Musculoskeletal diseases of the upper or lower limbs that affect rowing machine or bicycle exercise.