Ideal Exercise Timing for Blood Sugar Control

WEDNESDAY, June 11, 2024 (HealthDay News) — For those aiming to manage their blood sugar levels, evening workouts could be the most effective, a new study suggests.

According to results published on June 10 in the journal Obesity, exercising between 6 p.m. and midnight seems to better regulate blood sugar throughout the day.

This was especially true for individuals with impaired blood sugar regulation often linked to diabetes, researchers noted.

The findings indicate that doctors “should consider the optimal time of day to enhance the effectiveness of the exercise and physical activity programs they prescribe,” said Jonatan Ruiz, a professor of physical activity and health at the University of Granada in Spain.

In the study, researchers observed 186 overweight and obese adults, tracking their activity and blood glucose levels over two weeks using wearable devices.

Participants were grouped based on when they completed more than 50% of their daily moderate to vigorous physical activity.

The groups were defined as “morning” (6 a.m. to noon), “afternoon” (noon to 6 p.m.), and “evening” (6 p.m. to midnight).

Some participants were labeled as “mixed” if no single time window accounted for more than half of their daily exercise; those who did not engage in any moderate to vigorous exercise were marked as “inactive.”

Results showed that individuals who exercised in the evening tended to have lower blood sugar levels during the day, at night, and overall, particularly if they had impaired glucose regulation. This pattern was consistent for both men and women.

“As the field moves towards personalized exercise prescriptions for different chronic conditions, this study provides additional insights beyond simply advising patients to ‘move more,’” said Renee Rogers, a senior scientist specializing in physical activity and weight management at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

“Instead, it suggests moving as often as possible and prioritizing afternoon-to-evening activity when feasible for glucose regulation.” Rogers was not involved in the research.

Source: usnews

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