Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Aerobic exercise improves vascular health in prediabetes

Last updated August 25, 2026

Key finding

The exercise group demonstrated a directional decrease in Δ Ct values from pre- to postintervention.

A structured aerobic exercise program improved miR-126 expression and reduced markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in prediabetic participants.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Medium-Term (3–12 mo)

Risk of bias

Some Concerns

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Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

A structured aerobic exercise program improved miR-126 expression and reduced markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in prediabetic participants.

Clinical relevance

These findings suggest that aerobic exercise can be an effective intervention for improving cardiovascular health in prediabetic patients, potentially reducing their risk of developing diabetes and related complications. By enhancing miR-126 expression and improving key atherosclerosis markers, exercise may play a crucial role in preventive health strategies.

Keep in mind

Limited sample size may affect generalizability. Short duration of the intervention might not capture long-term effects. Lack of diversity in the participant population.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Elif YA, Sadrettin P, Sibel K, et al. A structured aerobic exercise programme enhances miR-126 expression and improves subclinical atherosclerosis markers in prediabetes. Experimental Physiology. 2026;111(6):3026-3038. doi:10.1113/EP093553

Main Effects

The exercise group demonstrated a decrease in Δ Ct values, indicating an upregulation of miR-126 expression (-1.99 Ct, p = 0.001).

Ankle-brachial index increased in the exercise group compared to controls (0.05 units, p = 0.017).

Carotid intima-media thickness was reduced in the exercise group compared to controls (-0.102 mm, p = 0.007).

The exercise group showed a significant decrease in body weight (-3.26 kg, p < 0.001) and BMI.

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Aerobic exercise and Ankle-brachial index (ABI), BMI, Body weight, and 3 more.

Primary intervention

Aerobic exercise

Primary outcomes

  • Ankle-brachial index (ABI)
  • BMI
  • Body weight

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

6
Evidence pairs
6
Relationships
3
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

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Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 72

3

Related topics

6

Evidence pairs

684

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 6 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 3 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

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Primary evidence

Evidence relationship

Aerobic Exercise and Body Mass Index

Related evidence

Evidence relationship

Aerobic Exercise and HbA1c

Save evidence

Evidence relationship

Aerobic Exercise and Body Weight

Save evidence

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

Ankle-brachial index (ABI)

Aerobic exercise → Ankle-brachial index (ABI)

Aerobic exercise → Ankle-brachial index (ABI)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

BMI

Aerobic exercise → BMI

Aerobic exercise → BMI

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
79
Strong
ImpactScore™
88
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
100
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 4 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Body weight

Aerobic exercise → Body weight

Aerobic exercise → Body weight

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Strong
Score 79 · Based on 3 studies
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
100
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 3 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT)

Aerobic exercise → Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT)

Aerobic exercise → Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
25
Negative
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Change in microRNA-126 expression

Aerobic exercise → Change in microRNA-126 expression

Aerobic exercise → Change in microRNA-126 expression

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

HbA1c

Aerobic exercise → HbA1c

Aerobic exercise → HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
78
Strong
ImpactScore™
75
Positive
ConsistencyScore™
75
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 4 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

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evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • Aerobic exercise led to a significant increase in miR-126 expression.
  • Participants in the exercise group had improved ABI and reduced CIMT.
  • Body weight and BMI significantly decreased in the exercise group.
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Adults diagnosed with prediabetes.
  • Individuals at risk for cardiovascular diseases.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • Results may not be applicable to populations outside the study demographics.
  • The study focused on short-term outcomes; long-term effects remain uncertain.
  • Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms behind the observed changes.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • Limited sample size may affect generalizability.
  • Short duration of the intervention might not capture long-term effects.
  • Lack of diversity in the participant population.

Evidence Library

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Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.

Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

This study contributes to evidence on Aerobic Exercise and Body Weight, Aerobic Exercise and Body Mass Index.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does Aerobic Exercise affect body mass index?

Strong Evidence

Aerobic Exercise appears to improve Body Mass Index.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    BMI

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 78.8 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on 5 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.

Limitations

  • Population details are unavailable.
5 supporting studiesUpdated: Aug 2026

Does Aerobic Exercise improve HbA1c?

Strong Evidence

Aerobic Exercise may improve HbA1c.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    HbA1c

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 77.8 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on 7 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.

Limitations

  • Population details are unavailable.
7 supporting studiesUpdated: Aug 2026

Does Aerobic Exercise affect body weight?

Strong Evidence

Aerobic Exercise appears to improve Body Weight.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Body weight

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on 3 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.

Limitations

  • Population details are unavailable.
3 supporting studiesUpdated: Aug 2026

Does Aerobic Exercise improve left ventricular structure?

Emerging Evidence

Aerobic Exercise appears to improve Left Ventricular Structure.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Ankle-brachial index (ABI)

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Aug 2026
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