Effects of High Intensity Interval Exercise versus Moderate Intensity Continuous Exercise on Blood Glucose Profiles of Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes

• Author / Creator

  Terada, Tasuku

• Achieving good control over glucose concentrations is the fundamental therapeutic goal for individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The effects of exercise on individuals with T2D have been well received and contributed extensively to recent evidence-based exercise guidelines in several countries. However, knowledge regarding the therapeutic benefits of high intensity interval exercise (HIIE) in individuals with T2D was limited. While accumulating evidence suggested the potential benefits of HIIE, it was unknown if it confers additional benefits over traditionally recommended moderate intensity continuous exercise (MICE) in improving the glycemia of T2D. In addition, it was unknown if timing to perform such exercise impacts glycemic responses. Accordingly, a series of studies were performed to: 1) examine the feasibility and long-term efficacy of HIIE; 2) to compare the glycemic responses to HIIE and MICE during exercise; and 3) to compare the acute glycemic responses to HIIE and MICE. Results suggested that HIIE is as feasible as MICE, and, compared to MICE, lowers glucose concentrations to a greater extent during exercise, and induces greater reductions in nocturnal and fasting glucose concentrations on the day subsequent to exercise. While performing HIIE in the fasted-state attenuated the reduction of glucose concentration during exercise, it improved most aspects of dysglycemia measured over hours following the exercise bouts. Postprandial HIIE, on the other hand, resulted in the greatest reduction in glycemia during exercise; however, no glucose profiles were improved hours after exercise as compared to a sedentary day. These results suggest that HIIE has some potential advantage over MICE in improving specific aspects of glycemia, and performing HIIE during a fasted-state may be more beneficial in lowering additional measures of glycemic profiles. In conclusions, HIIE is well tolerated by individuals with relatively well-controlled T2D and effectively improves various aspects of glycemia. The effects of HIIE may be magnified by performing it under fasted-state.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Glycemia
  • HIT
  • HIIE

• Graduation date

  Fall 2014

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Doctor of Philosophy

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R30M4K

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.