Acute Versus Chronic Exercise
Exercise is categorized
in two ways:
• Acute
exercise, which means one bout of exercise
• Chronic
exercise, which means regular, frequent exercise, also known as exercise training
Acute and chronic exercise
have different effects on the body. One important difference that is relevant to diabetes is the effect on
insulin sensitivity. A single bout of exercise will increase your insulin sensitivity, but this effect is
rapidly lost within twenty-four hours. On the other hand, chronic exercise (exercise training) leads to an
increase in insulin sensitivity that can last up to two weeks after stopping exercise. If you are taking
insulin for glucose control and you do not reduce the dose when your body becomes more insulin sensitive, you
will have low glucose reactions. If, however, you stop exercising regularly, your improved insulin sensitivity
will wear off, and your glucose levels will go up unless you increase your insulin.
The impact of exercise on
insulin sensitivity depends on the intensity of your exercise as well as the total amount of exercise you do per
week. It appears that the amount of exercise has a bigger effect than the intensity—in other words, more total
minutes of moderate exercise a week has a greater effect on insulin sensitivity than more intense exercise for
fewer times per week.
Although this chapter is
principally about planned exercise activity, the information also applies to unplanned exercise such as running
for the bus or climbing stairs. Other heavy physical work such as gardening, cleaning house, and moving
furniture can also be considered as acute bouts of exercise.
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