Intermittent exercise with and without low oxygen concentrations (or hypoxia) can improve insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetics, however exercise while under hypoxic conditions provides greater improvements in glycemic control than intermittent exercise alone, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

Exercise improves glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Previous studies have focused on continuous aerobic exercise with more recent work assessing resistance exercise. There are few studies that assess the effects of intermittent exercise on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes.

“Current guidelines suggest that health benefits can be gained when patients with type 2 diabetes spend 30 minutes exercising each day, but published data has failed to show intermittent exercise to be effective,” said Richard Mackenzie, PhD, of the University of Westminster in London, U.K., and lead author of the study. “Here we have shown that intermittent exercise seems to improve the glucose profiles of type 2 diabetics with a greater positive effect when intermittent exercise is combined with mild hypoxia, similar to doing the exercise at altitudes of 2500 meters.”

In this study, eight men with type 2 diabetes completed three exercise trials: 60 minutes of continuous exercise in hypoxia, intermittent exercise in hypoxia and intermittent exercise in a normal oxygen environment. After each exercise trial, study participants returned to the laboratory for measurement of blood glucose and plasma insulin levels. Researchers found that both intermittent and continuous exercise with and without hypoxia consistently demonstrated improvements in insulin sensitivity.

“A combination of moderately reduced oxygen levels with exercise can significantly improve the body’s ability to respond to insulin in type 2 diabetic patients over exercise alone,” said Dr. Mackenzie. “Our findings suggest the possible use of exercise with mild hypoxic for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.”
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Other researchers working on the study include: N. Maxwell, G. Brickley and P. Watt of the University of Brighton, U.K.; P. Castle of the University of Bedfordshire, U.K.; and B. Elliott of the University of Westminster.

The article, “Intermittent Exercise with and without Hypoxia Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes,” appears in the April 2012 issue of JCEM.

Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world’s oldest, largest and most active organization devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology. Today, The Endocrine Society’s membership consists of over 15,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in more than 100 countries. Society members represent all basic, applied and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

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Aaron Lohr
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The Endocrine Society