A groundbreaking study, stemming from a partnership between investigators at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Joslin Diabetes Center, has revealed that the timing of physical activity may play a crucial role in controlling blood glucose levels for people with type 2 diabetes.
The research draws from data in the Look AHEAD study and was recently published in Diabetes Care.
The team found patients with type 2 diabetes who engaged in physical activity during the afternoon exhibited the most significant improvements in blood glucose control after one year into the trial.
Over 37 million Americans have diabetes, with 90-95% being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Managing lifestyle, including dietary habits and regular physical activity, is pivotal in controlling diabetes.
Researchers utilized physical activity data from over 2,400 participants in the Look AHEAD study. Participants were equipped with a waist accelerometry device to monitor physical activity.
Results from the first year indicated that those who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in the afternoon experienced the largest drop in blood glucose levels.
By the fourth year, this group not only sustained the reduction but also had the highest likelihood of discontinuing their glucose-lowering/diabetes medications.
Jingyi Qian, Ph.D., highlighted the study’s uniqueness by stating, “We’ve known that physical activity is beneficial, but our study adds a new understanding that the timing of activity may be important too.”
Roeland Middelbeek, MD, emphasized the significance of timing and suggested that future research could potentially offer more personalized recommendations.
The study is observational, not accounting for confounding factors like sleep and dietary habits.
The research team is contemplating experimental testing in future studies to delve deeper into the mechanisms explaining why activity timing might influence blood glucose regulation.
Implications
Considering the vast number of Americans diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, these findings could have significant implications for how patients are advised to manage their condition.
Introducing a recommended time of day for physical activity could enhance diabetes management strategies, emphasizing not just the importance of staying active but also the potential benefits of doing so during specific periods of the day.
If you care about blood sugar, please read studies about why blood sugar is high in the morning, and how to cook sweet potatoes without increasing blood sugar.
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The study was published in Diabetes Care.
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