are glucose levels affected by exercise
How Long Does Exercise Affect Blood Sugar Levels? Exercising in the morning before breakfast helps to prevent a high rise in blood sugar in diabetics only after breakfast and lunch. It does not prevent the high rise in blood sugar that follows the evening dinner meal (Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Feb 2014;46(2):232-238). Nine diabetics exercised before breakfast for three consecutive bouts of 20 minutes at approximately 60 percent of their maximum heart rate. There was a greater and more sustained rise in glucose levels in type 2 diabetics compared to controls. In type 2 diabetic subjects, blood glucose increased from a pre-exercise level of 147 mg/dL (SD ± 21) to a peak 30 minutes postexercise at 169 mg/dL (SD ± 19). This value was maintained until 60 minutes postexercise, and then plasma levels decreased over the remainder of the 180-minute recovery period. How exercise affects blood sugar. In general, blood sugar drops after exercise and is lower for the next 24 to 48 hours, says Movsas. If I take a blood sugar reading after aqua-aerobics, I usually notice it's down, says David Mair, 79, of Marquette, Mich. What Affects Blood Sugar Levels. Food, exercise and medication all affect blood sugar levels. Getting blood glucose levels right can prove to be difficult at times. Just when you think you've factored everything in, a high or low blood glucose level can arrive out of nowhere and really throw your confidence. These things happen to everyone with diabetes. Here are examples of exercise that may increase the blood sugar: There are also activities and exercise that may increase the blood sugar. This is because the activity may release glucose counter-regulatory hormones, such as epinephrine (adrenaline) that opposes the action of insulin and raises the blood sugar. However, like many aspects of type 2 diabetes, the response can be highly personal. Exercise can sometimes boost blood sugar. At first, you'll need to test your blood sugar before, after, and sometimes during exercise, to see how your body responds). Exercises that decrease blood sugar. Here are examples of exercise that will decrease the blood sugar: Daily life activities, like shopping, cleaning, gardening, walking and sexual intimacy, as well as obvious sports activities, such as swimming, jogging and tennis, will increase insulin sensitivity and lower insulin requirements. Luckily, studies have shed light on the most successful exercise strategies for type 2 diabetes. Using a pedometer and aiming for 10,000 steps per day is one tried-and-true approach, although you need to determine what works best for you. Overall, the goal is 30 minutes of aerobic activity at least five days a week. For the controls, blood glucose increased from a pre-exercise level of 90 mg/dL (SD ± 4) to a peak at 10 minutes postexercise at 100 mg/dL (SD ± 5). Glucose concentrations at 60 minutes postexercise did not differ significantly from pre-exercise levels. Normally, insulin is released from the pancreas when the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood increases, such as after eating. Insulin stimulates the liver and muscles to take in excess glucose. This results in a lowering of the blood sugar level. When exercising, the body needs extra energy or fuel (in the form of glucose) for the exercising muscles. For short bursts of exercise, such as a quick sprint to catch the bus, the muscles and the liver can release stores of glucose for fuel.
Yes, glucose levels are affected by exercise.