Does Short, High-Intensity Exercise Improve Beta Cell Function in Adults with Diabetes?

Functional high intensity training (F-HIT) improved β-cell function in adults with type 2 diabetes, according to the results of a recent study.

The study included 12 sedentary adults with type 2 diabetes (age 54±2 years) who completed a 6-week F-HIT intervention which consisted of supervised training sessions completed 3 days per week. Participants completed an oral glucose test at baseline and after the 6-week intervention. In addition, researchers collected other anthropometric measures.
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After the intervention, the mean Disposition Index, used to measure β-cell function, was significantly increased and the fasting proinsulin-to-insulin ratio was reduced.

Additionally, mean total body fat percentage of participants decreased significantly, but lean body mass was preserved.

“Here we show that exercise at high intensity for as little as 10-20 mins/day, 3 days/[week] for 6-weeks improves β-cell function in adults with [type 2 diabetes], the researchers concluded.

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Nieuwoudt S, Fealy CE, Foucher JA, et al. Functional high intensity training improves pancreatic β-cell function in adults with type 2 diabetes [published online May 16, 2017]. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00407.2016.