Benefits of physical exercise in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55892/jrg.v8i19.2802Keywords:
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Physical Exercise, Physical Activity, Physical Inactivity, Glycemic ControlAbstract
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a multifactorial chronic disease strongly associated with physical inactivity, obesity, and unhealthy lifestyle habits, which favor insulin resistance and persistent hyperglycemia. In this context, regular physical exercise emerges as a central pillar in both the prevention and treatment of T2DM, potentiating the effects of pharmacological therapies. This study aimed to analyze the clinical, metabolic, and functional benefits of physical exercise in individuals with T2DM and, based on this evidence, to develop and validate an educational booklet on the topic.
This is an exploratory integrative literature review conducted in six stages and structured according to the PICO strategy, including 25 articles published between 2021 and 2025, selected from the Google Scholar and PubMed databases. Studies published in Portuguese and English, available in full text, methodologically clear, and aligned with the research question were included. In parallel, an educational booklet on Physical Exercise and T2DM was developed (DOI 10.5281/zenodo.17819265) and subsequently submitted for evaluation by two judges with expertise in Family and Community Medicine and Physical Education. The analyzed studies demonstrate that physical exercise—aerobic, resistance, interval, or combined—improves glycemic control, increases insulin sensitivity, reduces visceral adiposity, attenuates chronic inflammation, and promotes cardioprotective and renal benefits, in addition to preserving functional capacity and quality of life. It is also observed that there is no “safe threshold” of sedentary behavior and that weekly volumes of approximately 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity, combined with resistance training, already produce relevant effects, including when performed in concentrated patterns (“weekend warrior”). The validation of the educational booklet reinforces its potential as a health education tool capable of supporting adherence to physical exercise and informing clinical practices and public policies aimed at comprehensive care for individuals with T2DM.
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