Objective To observe the effect of Maca combined exercise therapy on mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activity and renal function in diabetic rats. Methods Forty diabetic rats were randomly divided into model control group, Maca group, training group and Maca + training group. The training and Maca + training groups underwent treadmill exercise training every day (5 g/ kg). After 6 weeks, rats in each group were subjected to exhaustive exercise (35 m/ min)followed by immediate extraction of renal mitochondria under anesthesia. Activity of the mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes RCCI, RCCII, RCCIII and RCCIV, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), and blood glucose contents were measured. Results Compared with the control group, the Maca group RCCII, training group RCCI and RCCII, and Maca + training group RCCI, RCCII and RCCIV activities were significantly increased. Compared with the Maca group, RCCI and RCCII activities in the Maca + training group were significantly increased. Compared with the training group, the RCCII activity in the Maca + training group was significantly increased. Compared with the control group, the content of blood urea nitrogen in the Maca and Maca + training groups, and the levels of serum creatinine and blood glucose in the training group and Maca + training group were significantly decreased ( P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01).Compared with the Maca group, the levels of serum creatinine and blood glucose were significantly decreased in the Maca +training group ( P < 0. 05). Compared with the training group, the levels of blood urea nitrogen and blood glucose in the Maca + training group were significantly decreased ( P < 0. 05). Conclusions Maca combined with exercise therapy improved the respiratory function, increased the level of oxidative phosphorylation, and improved kidney function in aged diabetic rats.