Structured population data were available for 3 of 3 supporting studies. 2 studies described participants with type 2 diabetes. 3 studies described adult participants.

Upstream consistency scoring indicates mixed findings across the evidence.

Evidence uses heterogeneous comparison contexts: baseline_within_group, usual_care.

Routine lifestyle education

Core clinician-reference fields are available or not applicable.

Participants received a 5:2 diet with energy restriction on 2 days per week.

Diet Intervention

Participants were randomized to one of three arms: diet intervention (2 days per week energy-restricted diet)

Participants completed supervised exercise sessions at health care centers.

Exercise Intervention

Participants were randomized to one of three arms: exercise intervention (2 days per week low-volume HIIT combined with RT)

Participants received routine lifestyle education as a control.

Participants were randomized to one of three arms: control (routine lifestyle education)

Authoritative quality diagnostic: invalid or missing unit.

Authoritative quality diagnostic: invalid or missing value.

5:2 Diet Improves Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes

Received standard care entailing pharmacological standardization of glucose, lipid, and blood-pressure lowering medication.

Control Group (CON)

The control group (CON) received standard care entailing pharmacological standardization of glucose, lipid, and blood-pressure lowering medication using a pre-defined treat-to-target algorithm within current clinical guidelines.

Received standard care and a diet intervention aiming at weight loss via approximately 25%-30% caloric restriction/day.

Diet Control Group (DCON)

The diet control group (DCON) received standard care and a diet intervention aiming at weight loss via approximately 25%-30% caloric restriction/day based on the age-adjusted Oxford equation.

Received standard care, diet intervention, and an exercise intervention with 2 aerobic training sessions and 1 combined aerobic and resistance training session per week.

Moderate Exercise Dose Group (MED)

The moderate exercise dose group (MED) received standard care, diet intervention, and an exercise intervention with 2 aerobic training sessions of approximately 50 min each and 1 combined aerobic and resistance training session per week.

Received standard care, diet intervention, and an exercise intervention with a total of 4 aerobic training sessions and 2 sessions per week with combined aerobic training and resistance training.

High Exercise Dose Group (HED)

The high exercise dose group (HED) received the standard care, diet intervention, and an exercise intervention with a total of 4 aerobic training sessions per week and 2 sessions per week with combined aerobic training and resistance training.

Caloric restriction and exercise reduce fat mass in diabetes

Control Group (CG)

Patients underwent a supervised strength training program aimed at muscle hypertrophy.

Strength Training (ST)

Patients were randomized to ST, ET or CG in a 1:1:1 fashion using Pocock’s minimization algorithm. Supervised ST was performed on training machines on two non-consecutive days of the week.

Patients underwent a supervised endurance training program on cycle ergometers and other equipment.

Endurance Training (ET)

Patients were randomized to ST, ET or CG in a 1:1:1 fashion using Pocock’s minimization algorithm. Supervised ET was performed on cycle ergometers, mountain climbers, cross trainers and treadmills.

Control group received advice to exercise twice a week for about 65 minutes.

The CG received advice to exercise twice a week for about 65 min.

Exercise therapy × Lean body mass

Available supporting studies

5:2 Diet Improves Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes

Caloric restriction and exercise reduce fat mass in diabetes

Structured exercise improves weight loss after gastric bypass surgery