Effectiveness of community-based Baduanjin combined with resistance training on cardiometabolic risk factors in older adults with type 2 diabetes: a 16-week randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Baduanjin and resistance training improve metabolism and function; however, it is unclear whether their combination reduces cardiometabolic risk in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to determine the effects of 16-week BDJ combined with resistance training on cardiometabolic risk parameters in older adults with T2DM. METHODS: An assessor-blinded, randomized controlled. A total of 123 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to either an intervention group (IG) that received a 16-week supervised BDJ combined with resistance training exercise program (2-3 sessions/week, 60 min/session, n=60) or a control group (CG) that received traditional health education without structured exercise (n=63). Participants in the CG were instructed to maintain their usual daily activities and attend monthly health education talks. The primary outcomes were glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level, body composition, and handgrip strength. The secondary endpoints were blood pressure and lipid levels. Assessments for all outcome measures were performed at baseline and at 4-month follow-up. RESULTS: Statistically significant group-by-time interactions were observed for weight (B = -1.30, 95% CI [-2.17, -0.44], p = 0.003), BMI (B = -0.49, 95% CI [-0.82, -0.17], p = 0.003), waist circumference (B = -1.21, 95% CI [-2.09, -0.32], p = 0.008), Left handgrip strength (B = 2.02, 95% CI [0.98, 3.05], p < 0.001), Right handgrip strength (B = 3.75, 95% CI [2.46, 5.05], p < 0.001), FPG (B = -0.81, 95% CI [-1.43, -0.20], p = 0.010), HbA1c (B = -0.39, 95% CI [-0.64,-0.14], p = 0.003). In contrast, none of the secondary outcome measures showed statistically significant differences between the two groups at the 4-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that a 16-week program combining BDJ with resistance training can be successfully implemented in a diabetes self-management group for older adults with T2DM. By improving glycemic control, muscle strength, and body composition, the intervention improved selected cardiometabolic risk markers in older adults with T2DM. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2600123608.