Structured exercise program helps regulate blood sugar in diabetics

Diabetics who integrated a regular structured exercise regimen into their lifestyle, like a gym class or working out with a personal trainer, did a better job of regulating their blood sugar than those who were just given advice about being active, finds a novel study.

The researchers found that 150 minutes a week of resistance or aerobic training improved diabetics' glycemic control and kept their hemoglobin A1c levels (HbA1c) lower.

HbA1c is a test used to evaluate blood sugar levels over several months.

According to experts, "Exercise is a cornerstone of diabetes management, along with dietary and pharmacological interventions. Current guidelines recommend that patients with type 2 diabetes should perform at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and should perform resistance exercise 3 times per week.

"Regular exercise improves glucose control in diabetes, but the association of different exercise training interventions on glucose control is unclear."

47 clinical trials analyzed
The focus of the study was to examine the change in HbA1C status in diabetic patients from a structured exercise program or physical activity education.

Brazilian researchers analyzed 47 randomized clinical trials of 8,538 patients who took either physical activity advice or participated in structured aerobic or resistance-training programs of at least 12 weeks.

Participants in the structured programs underwent planned individualized aerobic and strength training exercises, lasting more than 150 minutes per week.

On the other hand, those in the exercise advice-only groups were told that they need to engage in physical activity and were given advice but were not involved in a supervised program.

Study findings
The study found people in the structured programs exhibited a decrease of 0.67 in their HbA1C levels, compared to sedentary individuals.

Additionally, it was noted that working out in a structured regimen for more than the recommended 150 minutes per week led to sharp decline of 0.89-percent.

Lead author of the study, Daniel Umpierre, MSc, of the Hospital de Clinica de Porto Alegre in Brazil, stated, "Structured exercise durations of more than 150 minutes per week were associated with HbA1c reductions of 0.89 percent, while structured exercise durations of 150 minutes or less per week were associated with HbA1c reductions of 0.36 percent."

Participants in the physical pursuit advice programs showed HbA1C reduction of 0.43 percent. However, when physical-activity education was combined with dietary counselling, the HbA1C levels fell by 0.58 percent.

Researchers stated, “Structured exercise, consisting of aerobic training, resistance training or a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise training for at least 12 weeks is associated with improved glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients.

“Physical activity advice is beneficial only if associated with dietary recommendations.”

Results of the analysis are published in the May 4 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).