By Colin Kenny, GP, Dromore
A minimum of 30 minutes per day is recommended for physical activity in type 2 diabetes. The researchers here wanted to examine if interspersing light-intensity physical activity throughout an otherwise mostly sedentary day would have an impact on diabetes markers. They conducted a randomised, cross-over trial in 24 inactive adults with T2D who were overweight or obese. The participants undertook – once every 30 minutes during an 8-hour period of sitting – a 3-minute bout of light weights or a 3-minute bout of simple resistance activities (half-squats, calf raises, gluteal contractions and knee raises). Standardised meals were consumed and an uninterrupted control was also examined.
The researchers found that plasma glucose, insulin and C-peptide levels were all markedly improved when prolonged sitting was regularly interrupted with light walking or resistance activities. Plasma triglyceride levels were also reduced for both types of activity. The magnitude of glucose reduction for the walking bouts was greater in women than men.
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