Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by impaired glycemic control, which increases the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic complications. Exercise is a key non-pharmacological intervention known to improve blood glucose regulation, but the acute effects of different exercise modalities on glycemic control in T2DM remain unclear. The aim of this systematic review was to critically analyze and synthesize the existing body of research on the acute effects of various exercise modalities on glycemic control in patients with T2DM. This systematic review included studies involving adults (≥ 18 years) with T2DM where structured exercise program is the primary or significant intervention, assessing outcomes related to glycemic control (HbA1c, and fasting glucose). A comprehensive search was conducted across two electronic databases (Web of Science and PubMed) using structured search terms like "acute", "exercise", "type 2 diabetes", and "glycemic control". Study selection involved two independent reviewers screening articles, with disagreements resolved through discussion or third-party consultation, followed by detailed data extraction on study characteristics, intervention details, and outcomes. Ten studies were identified that met all inclusion criteria. This systematic review highlights that moderate intensity continuous training and high-intensity interval training have positive acute effects on glycemic control in individuals with T2DM. These findings suggest that both modalities are effective non-pharmacological strategies for optimizing glycemic control in patients T2DM.
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