The volume and order of starting exercise modulates the glucose-lowering effect of a single session of combined exercise in middle-aged and older adults with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Problem Statement: Although combined exercise (CE) is frequently prescribed for glycemic control of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) subjects, beginning CE session with aerobic or resistance exercises can lead to distinct responses in capillary glucose, especially when training prescriptions differ in intensity and volume. Approach: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of exercise intensity, volume, and order within combined exercise sessions on glycemic response. Purpose: Forty T2DM subjects participated in this study. The subjects were divided into three different protocols: standard (S-P, n = 13), high intensity (HI-P, n = 16), and high volume (HV-P, n = 11) in two counter-balanced orders each [i.e., resistance exercise followed by aerobic exercise (R-A) or vice versa (A-R)]. The capillary glucose was evaluated before and after each CE session. Results: All protocols of combined exercise reduced glucose concentrations (p