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DiabetesNCT07769840

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

A study testing Continuous Exercise - Cycling Group, Rowing Ergometer High-Intensity Interval Training and Combined Training Standard in people with Diabetes, run by The 95th Hospital of Putian,Putian, Fujian, China at 1 site in China.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

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). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 60 years
Conditions the study is for
Diabetes
What is being tested?
Continuous Exercise - Cycling Group, Rowing Ergometer High-Intensity Interval Training and Combined Training Standard
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
120 participants
Where
1 siteChina
Study dates
1 Oct 2026to 11 Dec 2028
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 60 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

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

Who cannot join

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

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Yanxin Huang, Dr contact

+8615960503382

727937141@qq.com

China1 site
  • The Ethics Committee of Putian 95 Hospital

    Putian, Fujian, 351100

    Xuebai Chen, +8618760590880, Chenxuebai@126.com

Other trials in China

About this study

Official title: 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.

Read the detailed description

Study Process

  1. Screening \& enrolment - We recruit 128 adults (18-60 years) who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the last 12 months and have never taken diabetes medication.
  2. Baseline assessments - Before starting, all participants undergo blood tests (glucose, insulin, inflammatory markers), a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is placed on their arm, and they wear an activity tracker for 7 days.
  3. Randomization - Participants are randomly assigned to one of four groups (32 people each): Control - usual care, no exercise Cycling - 40 min of moderate-intensity cycling per day Rowing (HIIT) - 24 min of high-intensity interval rowing per day Combined - 20 min rowing + 20 min cycling (50 min total)
  4. Intervention - All exercise groups train once a day for 7 consecutive days at the research centre under supervision. Heart rate is monitored throughout.
  5. Continuous monitoring - The CGM records glucose levels every 15 minutes during the whole 7-day period. Activity trackers record physical activity outside the exercise sessions.
  6. Post-intervention assessments - On day 8, we repeat all blood tests, measure inflammatory markers again, and collect the CGM data.
  7. Data analysis - We compare changes in blood sugar fluctuations and inflammation between the groups, and use statistical models to find which exercise regimen works best and for whom (e.g., younger vs. older patients).

The entire study takes about 9 days per participant (1 week of exercise + 2 days of testing).

Conditions
Diabetes
Being tested
Continuous Exercise - Cycling Group, Rowing Ergometer High-Intensity Interval Training, Combined Training Standard
Medical subject headings
Diabetes Mellitus

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Continuous Exercise - Cycling GroupBehavioural

    Warm-up: 5 minutes of low-intensity cycling (50-60 W, approximately 40%-50% HRmax of continuous power cycling at) Main Training: 40 minutes 65%-75% HRmax (approximately 60%-70% VO₂peak), maintaining a cadence of 60-80 rpm Cool-down: 5 minutes of low-intensity cycling followed by stretching Total Duration: 50 minutes

  • Rowing Ergometer High-Intensity Interval TrainingBehavioural

    Warm-up:

    5 minutes of low-intensity rowing at approximately 50% of maximum heart rate (HRmax).

    Main Training:

    24 minutes of interval training consisting of 4 sets of high-intensity rowing for 4 minutes each (85%-90% HRmax), with 2 minutes of low-intensity active recovery (50%-60% HRmax) between each set. Maintain a stroke rate of 24-30 strokes per minute (SPM) for high-intensity intervals and 18-22 SPM for recovery intervals.

    Cool-down:

    5 minutes of low-intensity rowing combined with stretching.

    Total Duration:

    34 minutes

  • Combined Training StandardBehavioural

    Warm-up:

    5 minutes of low-intensity activity (choose either cycling or rowing).

    Rowing Machine Segment:

    20 minutes at an intensity of 65%-75% of maximum heart rate (HRmax) (approximately 60%-70% of VO₂peak), with a stroke rate of 22-26 strokes per minute (SPM).

    Bicycle Segment:

    20 minutes at an intensity of 65%-75% of HRmax (approximately 60%-70% of VO₂peak), with a cadence of 60-80 revolutions per minute (rpm).

    Cool-down:

    5 minutes of stretching.

    Total Duration:

    50 minutes

Study groups in NCT07769840
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Continuous Exercise - Cycling GroupActive comparatorWarm-up: 5 minutes of low-intensity cycling (50-60 W, approximately 40%-50% HRmax of continuous power cycling at) Main Training: 40 minutes 65%-75% HRmax (approximately 60%-70% VO₂peak), maintaining a cadence of 60-80 rpm Cool-down: 5 minutes of low-intensity cycling followed by stretching Total Duration: 50 minutes
Receives: Behavioral: Continuous Exercise - Cycling Group
Rowing Ergometer High-Intensity Interval Training (RE-HIIT)Active comparatorWarm-up: 5 minutes of low-intensity rowing at approximately 50% of maximum heart rate (HRmax). Main Training: 24 minutes of interval training consisting of 4 sets of high-intensity rowing for 4 minutes each (85%-90% HRmax), with 2 minutes of low-intensity active recovery (50%-60% HRmax) between each set. Maintain a stroke rate of 24-30 strokes per minute (SPM) for high-intensity intervals and 18-22 SPM for recovery intervals. Cool-down: 5 minutes of low-intensity rowing combined with stretching. Total Duration: 34 minutes
Receives: Behavioral: Rowing Ergometer High-Intensity Interval Training
Combined Training Standard (CT-S)ExperimentalWarm-up: 5 minutes of low-intensity activity (choose either cycling or rowing). Rowing Machine Segment: 20 minutes at an intensity of 65%-75% of maximum heart rate (HRmax) (approximately 60%-70% of VO₂peak), with a stroke rate of 22-26 strokes per minute (SPM). Bicycle Segment: 20 minutes at an intensity of 65%-75% of HRmax (approximately 60%-70% of VO₂peak), with a cadence of 60-80 revolutions per minute (rpm). Cool-down: 5 minutes of stretching. Total Duration: 50 minutes
Receives: Behavioral: Combined Training Standard
Control Group (CG)No interventionMaintain usual activity levels without engaging in any structured exercise training. Daily activity levels are recorded using an accelerometer.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. inflammatory cytokines

    IL-6 (Interleukin-6) - The first muscle factor induced by exercise, is the core molecule connecting exercise to systemic anti-inflammatory effects. IL-6 produced by skeletal muscles during exercise inhibits TNF-α and stimulates IL-1ra to exert anti-inflammatory effects. Different exercise patterns have varying regulations on IL-6, with both aerobic training and combined training significantly reducing IL-6 levels in T2DM patients.

    TNF-α (Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha) - A key pro-inflammatory factor in insulin resistance in T2DM. Exercise improves insulin sensitivity by inhibiting the production of TNF-α. Meta-analyses confirm that exercise significantly reduces TNF-α levels in T2DM patients.

    hs-CRP (High-sensitivity C-reactive protein) - A classic marker of systemic low-grade inflammation, identified as a key baseline biomarker to distinguish well-controlled T2DM patients from healthy adults.

    Measured: 1.4 weeks

  2. Body Composition

    DEXA to detect body fat percentage (BF%) and skeletal muscle index (SMI)

    Measured: 1.4 weeks

  3. maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max)

    Cardiopulmonary exercise testing to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max)

    Measured: 1.4 weeks

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Postprandial Blood Glucose Fluctuations

    Calculate the average blood glucose values and blood glucose fluctuation coefficients (CONGA) for 2-4 hours after breakfast, lunch, and dinner by using CGM, comparing the differences before and after intervention and between groups. CONGA is defined as the standard deviation of the differences between consecutive blood glucose measurements, reflecting the amplitude of blood glucose fluctuations.

    Measured: 1.4 weeks

  2. Dynamic Blood Glucose Parameters

    Time in Range (TIR): The percentage of time blood glucose is within the range of 3.9-10.0 mmol/L Time Above Range (TAR): The percentage of time blood glucose is >10.0 mmol/L Time Below Range (TBR): The percentage of time blood glucose is <3.9 mmol/L Mean Amplitude of Glycemic Excursions (MAGE) 24-hour average blood glucose Immediate post-exercise blood glucose decline and duration

    Measured: 1.4 weeks

  3. Basal Metabolic Indicators

    Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) 2-hour Postprandial Glucose (2hPG) Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) Fasting Insulin (FINS) HOMA-IR Index Matsuda Insulin Sensitivity Index (ISI)

    Measured: 1.4 weeks

  4. Anthropometric indicator

    Body Mass Index (BMI) = Weight (kg) / Height (m)²

    Measured: 1.4 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted18 Aug 2026
  2. Study start1 Oct 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion10 Oct 2028 (estimated)
  4. Study completion11 Dec 2028 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
120 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07769840
Sponsor's protocol ID
2025-js025
Status last verified
Aug 2026
First submitted
1 Aug 2026
Last updated
18 Aug 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Some recruiters may object to public disclosure.

Publications

  • Petersen MH, de Almeida ME, Wentorf EK, Jensen K, Ortenblad N, Hojlund K. High-intensity interval training combining rowing and cycling efficiently improves insulin sensitivity, body composition and VO2max in men with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Nov 1;13:1032235. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1032235. eCollection 2022.

    PubMed 36387850
  • Karstoft K, Winding K, Knudsen SH, Nielsen JS, Thomsen C, Pedersen BK, Solomon TP. The effects of free-living interval-walking training on glycemic control, body composition, and physical fitness in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized, controlled trial. Diabetes Care. 2013 Feb;36(2):228-36. doi: 10.2337/dc12-0658. Epub 2012 Sep 21.

    PubMed 23002086
  • Xing H, Lu J, Yoong SQ, Tan YQ, Kusuyama J, Wu XV. Effect of Aerobic and Resistant Exercise Intervention on Inflammaging of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2022 May;23(5):823-830.e13. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2022.01.055. Epub 2022 Feb 17.

    PubMed 35183493
  • Pedersen BK. Anti-inflammatory effects of exercise: role in diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Eur J Clin Invest. 2017 Aug;47(8):600-611. doi: 10.1111/eci.12781. Epub 2017 Jul 19.

    PubMed 28722106

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Continuous Exercise - Cycling Group, Rowing Ergometer High-Intensity Interval Training and Combined Training Standard in people with Diabetes, run by The 95th Hospital of Putian,Putian, Fujian, China at 1 site in China.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Yanxin Huang, Dr (+8615960503382, 727937141@qq.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

inflammatory cytokines (time frame: 1.4 weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07769840, which also lists 4 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Aug 2026.

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