RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07196371

Feasibility of Aerobic Exercise With Blood Flow Restriction Training in People Living With Type 2 Diabetes

Testing the Feasibility of Blood Flow Restriction Training to Enhance the Health Benefits of Exercise in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Sponsor

University of New Brunswick

Enrollment

60 participants

Start Date

Jan 1, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Type 2 Diabetes

Summary

The goal of this trial is to learn if blood flow restriction training with treadmill walking is possible for individuals living with type 2 diabetes. It will also learn about how the blood flow restriction with treadmill walking could improve health. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is 6 weeks of treadmill walking with blood flow restriction reasonable for people with type 2 diabetes to perform? Does treadmill walking with blood flow restriction training help manage type 2 diabetes better than just treadmill walking? Researchers will compare treadmill walking with blood flow restriction to treadmill walking without blood flow restriction to see if blood flow restriction works to manage type 2 diabetes based on fitness and blood sugar levels. Participants will: Perform treadmill walking with or without blood flow restriction for 96 minutes a week for 6 weeks. Visit the lab before and after the exercise for tests and questionnaires.

Eligibility

Min Age: 19 YearsMax Age: 64 Years

Inclusion Criteria2

Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (5.7% \< HbA1c \< 9.0%)
Not regularly physically active (150 mins moderate-vigorous physical activity per week)

Exclusion Criteria7

Musculoskeletal issues preventing exercise training
Unstable medications over the last 3 months
Absolute contraindications to BFR (i.e. peripheral vascular disease)
A self-reported diagnosis of low iron concentrations, anemia, or being treated for these conditions
A diagnosis of any red blood cell-altering condition (i.e., sickle cell anemia, poikilocytosis)
Currently living with any cardiovascular disease, which would impact the ability to participate in exercise safely
Currently prescribed any medication which would impact the ability to use a heart rate monitor to accurately track intensity

Interventions

BEHAVIORALAerobic Training with Blood Flow Restriction

Participants will undergo a 6-week aerobic training intervention with blood flow restriction applied to the lower limbs. Blood flow restriction will be applied using a blood pressure cuff set between 60-80% of limb arterial occlusion pressure. Training will consist of treadmill walking at 40-50% of heart rate reserve (HRR) for 32 minutes per session, 3 times per week for a total of 96 minutes per week.

BEHAVIORALStandard Aerobic Training

Participants will follow the same aerobic training protocol as the AT+BFR group but without blood flow restriction. Training will consist of treadmill walking at 40-50% of HRR for 32 minutes per session, 3 times per week for a total of 96 minutes per week.