The Effects of Exercise on Insulin Sensitivity

Indianapolis, IN

Exercise promotes insulin sensitivity, which, in turn, promotes a faster rate of glucose clearance from the blood. The purpose was to determine the effect of light, moderate, or vigorous exercise on insulin sensitivity (the rate of glucose clearance. Five trained male subjects performed 4 trials each. Trial 1 determined a baseline and served as the control treatment. No exercise was performed, and an oral glucose tolerance test of 75g of glucose was completed with blood glucose analysis occurring at minutes 0,30,60 and 90. In trials 2,3 and 4 subjects performed light, moderate or vigorous exercise which preceded an oral glucose tolerance test. Work output was held constant for all exercise trials, even though intensity of exercise varied. Trials were randomly assigned to prevent an ordered effect. It was hypothesized that light, moderate and vigorous exercise will increase insulin sensitivity and promote a faster glucose clearance from the blood. It also was hypothesized that vigorous exercise will promote a faster rate of glucose clearance. Data collection is ongoing. Pilot data indicated that all forms of exercise improved insulin sensitivity and vigorous exercise was the most effective.