Private MD News

Aerobic exercise is best for improving diabetic symptoms, study finds

Category: Diabetes

For people who have received positive HbA1c tests for diabetes, physical activity is one of the most important things they can do for their health. However, there is disagreement over what types of exercises are the best. Now, a new study confirms that aerobic activity may help diabetics make the biggest improvements in their condition.

The findings in and of themselves are nothing new. Aerobic exercise has long been recommended as the best option for diabetics. However, in recent years, several studies have shown that resistance training that adds lean muscle may have a positive effect on diabetics’ insulin sensitivity.

The question may now be closer to being settled. After putting a group of nearly 200 overweight participants into either a resistance or aerobic training program, the Duke University researchers found that aerobic exercise is superior when it comes to eliminating abdominal fat and improving insulin sensitivity.

“If you are overweight, which two thirds of the population is, and you want to lose belly fat, aerobic exercise is the better choice because it burns more calories," said lead author Cris Slentz.