Even an occasional 30-minute exercise session reduces type 2 diabetes risk factors, study finds

Researchers at Centro per le Malattie Endocrine e Metaboliche, Italy, have found that a single 30-minute aerobic exercise session significantly reduced 1-hour post-load plasma glucose levels and improved insulin sensitivity in young, healthy adults. Participants showed improvements in glucose metabolism following a single bout of physical activity, indicating potential benefits in managing and preventing type 2 diabetes.

Physical exercise is clinically recognized for improving glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, critical factors in preventing type 2 diabetes. While the research link is typically focused on the long-term effects of regular physical activity, the current study examined the immediate impact of a single aerobic exercise session on glucose levels.

In the study, “A single bout of physical exercise improves 1-hour post-load plasma glucose in healthy young adults,” published in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, researchers tested the effects of a single 30-minute aerobic exercise session on glucose metabolism in healthy young adults. They used a 1-hour post-load glucose test as prior studies have shown that it is a strong predictor of future diabetes risk.

A total of 32 participants, aged 20 to 35, were recruited for the study. None had a history of diabetes or competitive sports involvement, and none were on medication. All underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at baseline, followed by a light jogging session (60–65% of their VO2max).

A second OGTT was administered 24 hours after the exercise to assess changes in fasting glucose, 1-hour post-load glucose, and insulin levels. Insulin sensitivity was also evaluated using surrogate indices such as the Matsuda and QUICKI indexes.

Fasting glucose levels decreased from 82.8 mg/dL to 78.5 mg/dL, and 1-hour post-load glucose dropped from 122.8 mg/dL to 111.8 mg/dL after exercise. Insulin levels at the 1-hour mark also fell significantly from 57.4 µUI/ml to 43.5 µUI/ml. Insulin sensitivity improved, as indicated by increases in the Matsuda index from 7.79 to 9.02 and the QUICKI index from 0.36 to 0.38. The HOMA-IR index, a measure of insulin resistance, decreased from 1.51 to 1.28.

These positive effects on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, just 24 hours after a single exercise session, suggest that even occasional physical activity could significantly contribute to reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes through immediate improvements in glucose control.

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