Monday, April 27, 2009

Exercise controls blood sugar level in type 2 diabetes

Aerobic exercise and resistance (weight) training combination will immensely benefits diabetic patients by controlling blood sugar levels. This was revealed in recently conducted randomized controlled trial on 250 type 2 diabetic adults over a 6-month period. Researchers used Hemoglobin A1c level as the determining factor. Combination of exercise will benefit more than a single activity alone. This research study was published in the September 18 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Image courtesy: Ericabla.

Haemoglobin A1C is the best factor to determine blood sugar control in the last 6 months. 1% decrease in Haemoglobin A1c level will decrease heart attack risk by 15-20%. Resistance and aerobic exercise will decrease Haemoglobin A1c level by almost 1% according to research.


The participants were divided to one of four groups:


1. Those who did 45 minutes of aerobic training three times a week
2. Those who did 45 minutes of resistance (weight) training three times a week
3. Those who did 45 minutes each of both forms of exercise three times a week
4. Those who did no exercise at all.


Benefits of exercise in type 2 Diabetes:


1. 1% decrease in Hemoglobin A1c.
2. 15%-20% decrease in heart attack or stroke risk.
3. 25-40% decline in diabetic complications.
4. It decreases Insulin resistance and helps to efficiently transport glucose.
5. Combined exercise has double benefit than single form of exercise.
6. Exercise helps to delay late onset Diabetes.


Diabetes is gradually becoming global epidemic and more than 300 million people will live with this chronic disease by 2025 according to World Health Organisation. Obesity, changing life style habits and rise in old age population are the major reasons for the Diabetes epidemic.


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