A recent study published in The American Journal of Medicine delves into the positive effects of exercise on blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
The research identifies specific exercise activities and their timing as crucial for enhancing health outcomes.
A Comprehensive Look at Exercise and Blood Glucose
Steven Malin, an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health at Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences and a study author, emphasizes that while most people understand that exercise is beneficial, many remain unsure about the optimal approach.
The research sheds light on key parameters such as the benefits of aerobics versus weightlifting, the optimal time of day to exercise, whether to exercise before or after meals, and the role of weight loss in exercise benefits.
Key Findings
The research analysis yielded several important insights:
- Habitual aerobic exercise, such as cycling, swimming, and walking, that elevates heart rate and oxygen use helps manage blood glucose levels.
- Resistance exercise, which involves working muscles against an opposing force such as dumbbells, resistance bands, or body weight, benefits insulin sensitivity in those with type 2 diabetes.
- Regular movement throughout the day can help control blood glucose and insulin levels.
- Exercising later in the day can lead to better blood glucose control and improved insulin sensitivity.
According to Malin, the combination of aerobic exercise and weightlifting may offer more benefits than either alone. Exercising in the afternoon could be more effective than morning workouts for glucose control.
Also, exercising after meals might be slightly more beneficial than before meals. Importantly, exercise can have benefits even without weight loss, as it can lower body fat and increase muscle mass.
Type 2 Diabetes and the Importance of Exercise
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that over 37 million Americans have diabetes, with 90-95% of these cases being type 2 diabetes.
People with type 2 diabetes are insulin resistant, meaning their cells don’t respond normally to insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. High blood sugar can cause serious health issues.
Increasing insulin sensitivity through exercise can mitigate this risk, as it allows the body’s cells to use blood glucose more effectively, reducing blood sugar.
Malin, along with other Rutgers faculty, champions the idea of “exercise as medicine,” a concept increasingly supported by research and the American College of Sports Medicine.
The findings from this study provide valuable, up-to-date practical advice for medical professionals to better recommend exercise prescriptions to combat high blood glucose.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about Vitamin D and type 2 diabetes, and what you need to know about avocado and type 2 diabetes.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies about How to eat to prevent type 2 diabetes, and 5 vitamins that may prevent complication in diabetes.
The study was published in the American Journal of Medicine Open.
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