More days of either aerobic or strength exercise were associated with lower glucose and HbA1c in both men and women. Similarly, both physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness have been associated with lower fasting glucose  and lower HbA1c  in prior research. Lower fasting glucose and HbA1c are indicative of better glucose regulation due to changes in beta cell functioning . The association of lower glucose and HbA1c with higher exercise frequency may be due to the insulin-independent mechanism for glucose uptake by muscle cells stimulated by muscle contraction during exercise .