Study Shows Combination Exercise Program Helps Type 2 Diabetics Improve Blood Sugar Levels

We’ve long known the overwhelming benefits of exercise—it helps you lose weight, control blood pressure and relieve stress—but did you also known that aerobic exercise and resistance training can help you control your blood sugar?

A study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association followed individuals who had led sedentary lifestyles who began aerobic classes or resistance training programs or both. According to the research, individuals who participated in both activities drastically improved certain levels that measure blood sugar.

Participants were given an HbA1C test, used to examine long-term (two to three months) blood sugar concentration, as opposed to a shorter-term fasting blood glucose test.

"The combination exercise program really outshined the others," said the study's lead author, Dr. Timothy Church, director of preventive medicine research at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University System in Baton Rouge. "The combination group reduced their HbA1C levels, while also reducing the amount of diabetes medications."

These findings are helpful for those diabetics who might not have exercised in awhile, but who have decided to zero in on the best exercise regimen.

If you haven’t been active recently, remember to start slowly and heed the advice of your doctor. The American Diabetes Association recommends finding an aerobic activity you enjoy, such as walking or biking with friends, and combining that with resistance exercises that help you build muscles, such as lifting weights while watching TV or using fitness machines at the gym. The ADA also recommends finding a friend or group to exercise with or joining its Club Ped, an online walking support group (http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/fitness/club-ped.html).

Additional resources and references:
http://www.endocrineweb.com/news/type-2-diabetes/3214-researchers-determine-best-exercise-blood-sugar-control

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_105906.html

http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/fitness/fitness-management/top-10-benefits-of-being.html

http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/fitness/fitness-management/be-active-but-how.html