HIIT (for High-intensity interval training or in French, high-intensity interval training), a protocol ofcoaching characterized by short periods of exertion, followed by periods of recovery, would increase the metabolism of glucose in the muscles as well as the sensitivity to insulin in the Type 2 diabetes.
The discovery was made in a research project led by researcher Kari Kalliokoski and project leader Jarna Hannukainen, at the University of Turku, Finland. The project investigated the health effects of this sport activity on healthy people and diabetics.
HIIT has a rapid impact on metabolism
The results are encouraging: HIIT had a rapid impact on metabolism. However, researchers have failed to demonstrate large differences between the impact of HIIT and the intensity of moderate continuous exercise over a longer period of time. The main benefit of high-intensity interval training most of the time is that it takes less time, according to doctoral student Tanja Sjöros.
In the study, healthy men aged 40 to 50 had either traditional intensity, moderate or high intensity interval training. Later, a group of people with insulin resistance performed a similar two-week workout routine. Some of them had type 2 diabetes and some had prediabetes, i.e. their blood sugar levels were high, but not yet high enough to indicate the disease. Type 2 diabetes.
The many benefits of HIIT
Before starting the exercises, the sensitivity of glucose and insulin metabolism of people with insulin resistance was significantly reduced compared to the group of healthy people. However, after two weeks of high-intensity training, six training sessions, the glucose metabolism in the thigh muscles reached the starting level of the healthy control group.
The group that did moderate-intensity training achieved only half of the improvement experienced by the HIIT group over the two-week period. Therefore, this type of training requires a longer period of time. If you only have a little spare time, high interval training could be a great alternative to traditional training which requires more time but is lower in intensity, says Sjöros.
HIIT also improves endurance. In the study, the endurance of type 2 diabetics only increased in the HIIT group, but previous studies showed that, when the training routine continued for more than two weeks, endurance increased with increasing frequency. traditional, moderate intensity training as it does with high interval training.
Exercise would have beneficial effects on blood sugar levels in diabetics
The research results, published in the Journal of Medicine and Science Scandinavian, highlight the beneficial effects of exercise on glucose metabolism in particular in diabetics and in those who suffer from disorders in glucose metabolism.
According to previous research, exercise lowers blood sugar as much as diabetes medications. Therefore, exercise is an essential part of the treatment and prevention of diabetes.
Consult your doctor before starting a new sport
And here, when it comes to glucose metabolism, it doesn’t matter whether the exercise takes place over a longer period of time than moderate training or over a short period of high interval training. Everyone can choose the type of training that suits them best. In general, you can get the best results for your body by using both training methods, Sjöros encourages.
However, researchers recommend that diabetics consult their doctor before starting a new one. sport. For example, if the time and effort to exercise increases significantly, it might be necessary to check diabetes medication. Additionally other possible illnesses should be kept in mind when planning a new sports routine.
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