PURPOSE: To assess the effects of exercise training parameters on cardiorespiratory fitness of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: This systematic review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020210470). Searches were performed on PubMed, PEDro EMBASE, MEDLINE (Ovid), LILACS, PsycINFO, SCIELO, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library. The primary outcome was cardiorespiratory fitness, defined as maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 maX) during a maximal or submaximal exercise test. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. Data were pooled using a random effects model and expressed as mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Heterogeneity (I2) was assessed using Cochran's Q test. The risk of bias and quality of evidence was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and GRADE. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies comparing exercise and control groups were included. The risk of bias indicated some concerns in most studies, and the quality of evidence was rated very low. Interventions with moderate (MD 1.91, 95% CI 0.58 to 3.34) and progressive exercise intensity (MD 2.70, 95% CI 2.43 to 2.96) and volume (MD 1.72, 95% CI 0.59 to 2.85) showed greater improvements in VO2Max. CONCLUSIONS: Protocols that progressively increased exercise training parameters improved the cardiorespiratory fitness response. Progressive exercise might be more suitable for individuals with T2DM. Our conclusion may be limited due to the very low quality of evidence.

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