Exercise should be considered a first-line therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, a new study has concluded.
Although moderate to vigorous exercise is often advised alongside diet and/or behaviour modification, exercise as an independent treatment can prevent, delay or reverse type 2 diabetes (T2D).
Scientists at Rutgers University with funding from the National Institutes of Health at how different types of exercise influenced insulin sensitivity and cardio metabolic health.
Researchers sifted through dozens of studies and extracted common conclusions. Some of the key findings include:
- Habitual aerobic exercise: Physical activity, such as cycling, swimming and walking, which increases the heart rate and the body’s use of oxygen helps manage blood glucose.
- Resistance exercise: Working muscles using an opposing force such as dumb bells, resistance bands or a person’s own body weight benefits insulin sensitivity in those with Type 2 diabetes.
- Regular exercise: Movement throughout the day breaks up sitting time which benefits blood glucose control and insulin levels.
- Timing of exercise: Performing exercise later in the day can result in better control of blood sugar levels as well as improve insulin sensitivity.
“In short, any movement is good and more is generally better,” says Steven Malin, an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health at Rutgers, and an author of the study.
“The combination of aerobic exercise and weightlifting is likely better than either alone. Exercise in the afternoon might work better than exercise in the morning for glucose control, and exercise after a meal may help slightly more than before a meal.
“You don’t have to lose weight to see the benefits of exercise. That is because exercise can lower body fat and increase muscle mass. I'm one of those individuals who subscribes to that notion, and in that way, I think of exercise as a drug,” Malin says.
Malin and his colleagues authored the study to offer the medical community up-to-date practical advice for their patients.
“Together, this idea of exercise timing and type is important because it helps medical professionals more accurately recommend exercise prescriptions to combat high blood glucose,” Malin said.
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