Best Times To Exercise For Health Blood Sugar Levels
Being overweight or obese can lead to various health issues, including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Once diabetes develops, individuals must vigilantly monitor their blood sugar levels throughout the day to ensure they remain within a healthy range.
Recent research conducted at the University of Granada in Spain investigated how the timing of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity influences glucose metabolism. Previous studies have shown that physical activity can help improve blood glucose levels, prompting researchers to explore whether the timing of activity plays a role in this benefit.
The study involved analyzing data from the EXTREME trial, focusing on 186 adults with an average age of 46.8 years and an average BMI categorized as indicative of obesity. Participants wore devices to track their physical activity and continuously monitor their glucose levels over a period of 14 days.
Researchers categorized each day based on when the majority of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity occurred: morning (06:00 to 12:00), afternoon (12:00 to 18:00), evening (18:00 to 00:00), or mixed throughout the day. They found that days with higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were associated with more stable glucose levels.
Specifically, participants who engaged in most of their physical activity in the evening had lower average glucose readings over a 24-hour period compared to those who were less active. In contrast, those who were most active in the morning or spread their activity throughout the day did not show significant differences in glucose levels compared to less active participants.
The study highlighted that each additional minute of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity contributed to better glucose control, with evening activity showing the most pronounced benefits. This association was consistent across both men and women and was particularly significant for individuals with impaired glucose regulation.
The findings suggest that timing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, particularly in the evening, could be beneficial for individuals with overweight/obesity and metabolic impairments like insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. Further research is needed to fully understand these associations and to optimize physical activity recommendations for improving glucose metabolism and overall health in these populations.
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