aerobics

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.

Aerobics is any exercise of low, moderate to high intensity that includes swimming, cycling, dancing, and working out on treadmill and rowing machine.

The duration of such a regime may extend from 20 minutes to one hour, and the intensity and duration of exercise depends upon a person’s stamina and age.

The study suggests that health benefits of physical activity could be strongly linked to our genes and can substantially vary between individuals.

The researchers are hopeful that findings could pave the way for alternative treatments such as a simple blood test that could suggest whether one should take up strenuous physical activity or focus on other ways of staying healthy such as through diet, medication etc.

Details of the study