Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition characterised by unstable blood sugar levels. The release of insulin is normally responsible for regulating blood sugar levels, but if you have type 2 diabetes your insulin production is hampered. Fortunately, you can improve the body’s insulin response by making healthy lifestyle interventions, such as increasing the amount of exercise you do.
The study aimed to determine whether exercise training at two distinct times of day would have differing effects on 24-hour blood glucose levels in men with type 2 diabetes.
Eleven men with type 2 diabetes underwent a randomised crossover trial – a study that involves assessing two or more interventions.
The trial involved two weeks of either morning or afternoon high-intensity interval training (HIIT) (three sessions/week), followed by a two-week wash-out period and a subsequent period of the opposite training regimen.
A wash-out period describes the length of time that someone enrolled in a trial must not receive any treatment before receiving the trial’s experimental therapy.
“Our data highlight the importance of optimising the timing of exercise when prescribing it as treatment for type 2 diabetes,” the researchers concluded.
What is HIIT training?
HIIT stands for high-intensity interval training. It’s a great way to get your daily dose of exercise in one short and intense burst.
It refers to any type of exercise that you do for a short amount of time, at maximum or near maximum effort, with a rest period after, explains Bupa.
“HIIT can be adapted to suit all ages and fitness levels and is generally very safe when done correctly.”
Type 2 diabetes – key symptoms
According to the NHS, many people have type 2 diabetes without realising. This is because symptoms do not necessarily make you feel unwell.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:
- Peeing more than usual, particularly at night
- Feeling thirsty all the time
- Feeling very tired
- Losing weight without trying to
- Itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
- Cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
- Blurred vision.