A recent study published in Obesity explores differences in the timing of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and its impact on blood glucose levels and metabolic function in overweight and obese sedentary adults. Study: Impact of lifestyle moderate-to-vigorous physical activity timing on glycemic control in sedentary adults with overweight/obesity and metabolic impairments. Image Credit: Nomad_soul / Shutterstock.
com Obese people are more likely to develop impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Weight reduction through dietary management and physical activity (PA) is often recommended to improve glycemic control in obese individuals. MVPA is effective in glucose homeostasis among individuals who are obese or overweight.
However, the optimal timing of MVPA remains unclear. Physiological processes are regulated by circadian rhythms; therefore, blood glucose levels fluctuate throughout the day. Skeletal muscle is primarily responsible for clearing glucose from the blood, whereas reduced uptake by muscle cells during the afternoon and evening contributes to increased blood sugar levels at these times.
Thus, MVPA later in the day could improve glucose homeostasis. This has been demonstrated in previous studies examining night glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Previous studies have often focused on lifestyle physical activity (PA) in association with nocturnal and diurnal glucose levels, mostly during the fasting state.
