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LisaS
06-05-2006, 01:02 AM
Exercise & Insulin Sensitivity
Effect of the volume and intensity of exercise training on insulin sensitivity
J Appl Physiol, Jan 2004; 96: 101 - 106.

This study from 2003 was trying to find the exercise prescription that would maximize increases in insulin sensitivity. The researchers divided their treatement group to different combinations of volume and intensity of walking/jogging programs for 6 months. The groups were low volume/moderat intensity, low vol/high intensity, high vol/high intensity (details are in the study). The subjects were "middle aged, overweight/obese, previously sedentary" and "they exhibited evidence of dyslipidemia".

The authors summarize the findings in the 1st paragraph of the discussion section:

The main finding of the present study was that exercise programs consisting of a training duration of ~170 min/wk, regardless of variations in exercise intensity (range, 40–80% O2 peak) and weekly training volume (12–20 miles/wk) (Table 2), improved insulin sensitivity to a similar degree (Fig. 1). Our findings (Table 3, Fig. 1) thus suggest that, within the exercise training paradigms used in the present study, exercise duration is one of the primary factors that controls the response of insulin action to exercise training. The conclusion that weekly exercise duration appeared to be an important variable influencing changes in insulin sensitivity was reached by integrating several pieces of information. First, weekly exercise frequency (~3 sessions/wk) and volume (~12 miles/wk) were similar between the low-volume/moderate-intensity and lowvolume/high-intensity groups (Table 2). However, SI was enhanced to a greater extent (Fig. 1) with the exercise training encompassing the longer weekly training duration. Second, both of the exercise training groups with longest weekly training durations (low-volume/moderate-intensity and high-volume/high-intensity groups, ~170 min/wk) enhanced insulin sensitivity to a similar degree (Fig. 1), independent of exercise intensity and weekly training volume (Table 2). Third, the increment in insulin action in the longer duration vs. the shorter duration groups remained evident after statistically adjusting for differences in the change in body mass (Table 3) and exercise adherence and frequency (Table 2) between the groups (see RESULTS). These findings suggest that exercise duration should be considered when designing training programs with the intent of improving insulin action and reducing the risk for CVD.

they continue:

In summary, physical activity encompassing a wide range of intensity and volume prevents increases in the insulin resistance that develops progressively with a sedentary lifestyle. However, an exercise prescription that incorporated an exercise duration of ~170 min of exercise/wk with a frequency of three to four sessions per week improved insulin sensitivity significantly more than a program utilizing ~115 min of exercise/wk and a frequency of three sessions per week, regardless of exercise intensity and volume. Exercise duration should thus be considered when designing training programs with the intent of improving insulin sensitivity.


the study can be read here:
http://jap.physiology.org/cgi/search?sortspec=relevance&author1=&fulltext=&pubdate_year=2004&volume=96&firstpage=101

Gaelen
06-05-2006, 07:51 AM
hmmmm...this would suggest that a 20-min session every day (x7) might ultimately be as or more effective at reducing insulin resistance and making a person more insulin sensitive than a 30-min exercise session three times per week, regardless of the type of exercise?

laughingW
06-05-2006, 11:10 AM
Speaking as an insulin resistant person, I would not extrapolate that 7 x 20 would be effective, because this study looks like it looked at 3 times per week.

I've tried 20 minute sessions forever and they just don't do the job like longer sessions. For me.

LisaS
06-05-2006, 11:16 AM
that's the thing - you'd have to followup with different configurations of 170 mins/wk to know the answer - all we know is that this study was more or less 4 sessions/wk - so about 40-45 mins. And that was better than 115 mins/wk. What about 6x30 for 180? Is it just the minutes over the week - or is there something about going just that little bit longer each session? We don't know from this study alone.

what we seem to know from this study is that insulin sensitivity seems to be improved by duration of exercise independent of intensity of the exercise - so you don't have to go *hard* for the 170 mins, moderate is just fine to get a similar benefit.

Gaelen
06-05-2006, 04:00 PM
I was thinking the same thing...wondering what would 6 x 30 look like, versus 6 x 20 and 6 x 40... ;)

But I have always liked the idea that it's total and duration that counts, not necessarily intensity....much more of a go-the-distance exerciser than a sprinter, here.

LisaS
06-05-2006, 04:24 PM
oh -- but intensity does have different benefits -- I've got the studies :D

Billie
06-06-2006, 06:30 PM
Bring those studies on Lisa! I would love to read about them, thanks for posting this.

You know reading all those really makes so much sense to me, thanks so much for posting the study, I am enjoying it and it is motivating.

Belfrybat
06-06-2006, 09:29 PM
Rats! And I thought I was doing so good with 30 min 4X a week! :angry: Dagnabbit! It doesn't seem that enough is ever enough. Now I have to be a jock to have any effect on blood sugars? Yikes!

Ok.... taking a deep breath and calming down. I gather the study showed it didn't matter what kind of exercise, just so it's sustained? So walking is as good as weights? I wonder about two 20 min sessions a day vs. 40-45 at a time? Any studies to support that?

LisaS
06-06-2006, 10:35 PM
no turning into a jock is required (unless you want too :) )
they only compared like exercise forms in this specific study - just walking/jogging type exercise at a moderate level. Just add 12-13 mins a day to your walks and you'll go from 120 mins to 170+ mins easily.

there are some studies on 2x20/day vs 1x40 per day (or there abouts) looking for other effects - I haven't found any (yet) that compared those protocols in terms of effect on insulin sensitivity.

I thought this was a good news study - just go a little longer but you don't have to go much harder to get a greater benefit in insulin resistance.

Billie
06-08-2006, 08:27 PM
You know sometimes it is just about adding those additional minutes. Like Belfry, I was thinking oh my how would I ever get that in, when I do about 120 minutes it seems like alot, but you are so right, just a few additional minutes will do it.

Thanks for making the obvious, more obvious! DOH to myself!