It's the end of the day, and you don't have time to hit the gym for your regular workout. Should you leave it until tomorrow or carve out time for a little exercise today? If you have diabetes, go for the second option. Any physical activity is better than none, and adding short, intense bursts of activity to a mini workout may help your body do a better job of metabolizing glucose to regulate your blood sugar level.
Short, Fast and Furious
In a small study, volunteers worked out on stationary bikes three times a week for a minimum of 17 minutes per session. That's pretty manageable. Then, during the sessions, they threw in a handful of 30-second bursts of high-intensity cycling. Again, not too taxing. After the bursts, they rested or cycled slowly for 4 minutes. The result? When the volunteers were given the equivalent of a meal's worth of glucose at the end of the study, their bodies metabolized it better than before the study.
Just a Little Helps a Lot
Researchers suspect that bursts of intensity during workouts elicit stronger muscle contractions and therefore more glucose uptake in the large muscles attached to bones. The lesson: If your busy day only leaves time for a short workout, be sure to add a few bouts of higher-intensity effort. Your blood sugar will be better for it.
