WEDNESDAY, June 11, 2024 (HealthDay News) — People trying to control their blood sugar levels might do better to exercise in the evening, a new study suggests.
Exercise performed between 6 p.m. and midnight appeared to be best at controlling blood sugar levels throughout the day, according to the results, which were published in the June 10 issue of the journal Obesity.
This was particularly true in people with the type of poor blood sugar regulation associated with diabetes, the researchers noted.
The results show that doctors “should consider the optimal time of day to improve the effectiveness of the exercise and physical activity programs they prescribe,” said researcher Jonatan Ruiz, professor of physical activity and health at the University of Granada, in Spain. .
For the study, researchers recruited 186 overweight and obese adults and monitored their activity and blood glucose levels for two weeks using wearable devices.
People were classified based on when they accumulated more than 50% of each day’s moderate to vigorous physical activity: “morning” from 6 a.m. to noon, “afternoon” from noon to 6 p.m., and “evening” from 6 p.m. to midnight. .
Some were categorized as “mixed” if no defined time window accounted for more than half of their daily exercise, and others were marked as “inactive” if they did not do any moderate to vigorous exercise.
Those who exercised at night were more likely to have lower blood sugar levels during the day, at night and overall, especially if they had impaired glucose regulation, the results show. The pattern was the same for both men and women.
“As the field moves toward individualized exercise prescriptions for different chronic conditions, this study now provides additional information beyond simply telling patients to ‘move more,’ but rather to move as frequently as possible and prioritize exercise.” afternoon to evening movement when feasible for glucose regulation,” said Renee Rogers, senior scientist of physical activity and weight management at the University of Kansas Medical Center. she said in a magazine news release. Rogers was not associated with the investigation.
More information
The American Diabetes Association has more information about blood sugar and exercise.
SOURCE: The Obesity Society, press release, June 10, 2024
