Exercise

Without activity, the body settles, spreads, and becomes out of shape. The body becomes weak in the sense of being unable to perform basic physical tasks or engage in sports without painful effort. It also becomes weak in the sense of becoming more vulnerable to injury and disease and less able to recuperate from such traumas.

Exercising strengthens the heart, lungs, bones and muscles. It helps to prevent illnesses, relieve stress, and prevent depression.  Exercising three or four times a week is beneficial to gaining a healthier body.

Strength Training May Improve Insulin Sensitivity in Older Men with Type 2 Diabetes

A recent study reported in the March 2005 issue of Diabetes Care indicates that supervised strength training or progressive resistance training two times per week may benefit older men with type 2 diabetes.  The study, done at the Research and Sports Medicine Center in Pamplona-Navarra, Spain, found after 16 weeks of progressive resistance training, nine older men with type 2 diabetes improved there insulin sensitivity by 46.3%.

In addition, the men had an increase in their muscle strength and a decrease in their abdominal fat.  Keep in mind, these men were not put on a diet – in fact, they increased the caloric intake by almost 15%.

Exercise, even without weight loss, can help improve sensitivity.