Baseline Glycemic State Influences Exercise-induced Glycemic Control

Thomas P. J. Solomon, PhD, of the Centre of Inflammation and Metabolism, Copenhagen, and colleagues studied body composition, aerobic fitness and glycemic control in 105 overweight or obese patients (mean BMI, 33 kg/m2; mean age, 61 years) with impaired glucose tolerance (n=56) or type 2 diabetes (n=49) before and after a 12- to 16-week aerobic exercise training period. The researchers observed significant improvements in body weight (−4.6 kg), whole-body adiposity (−1.9%), VO_2max (0.23 L per minute), fasting plasma glucose (−0.35 mmol/L), and 2-hour OGTT (−0.8 mmol/L) following exercise training. Findings demonstrate that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise can improve glycemic control. However, patients with ambient hyperglycemia are more likely to be non-responders. Solomon TPJ. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.7783.